KOTA BARU: The government is considering a restructure of the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) to ensure its function can be extended at both states and district levels.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said at the moment, Nadma only existed at the federal-level and it was not formed at the state-level.
"Like in Kelantan, there is no representative of Nadma here and for that, we will discuss on the possibility of restructuring of Nadma.
"This to ensure Nadma has a 'power source' in every state. We will also consider to add more manpower for Nadma," he told a press conference after attending a meeting with Kelantan Umno division leaders here today.
He said Nadma was a coordinator at the federal-level as every state has its own disaster management committee; while at the district-level, they have their management disaster committee which is chaired by the District Officer.
"The move needs to be taken as short-, medium- and long-term solutions to the problems that the country has been facing due to disasters.
"We do not want to suffer huge losses like what we have been facing recently due to the recent flood," he added.
It was reported that the government is looking into the possible formation of a "National Disaster Management Council (Nadma) 2.0" to strengthen the management of natural disasters at both state and district levels.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Special Functions) Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad had said that Nadma's current structure would be reviewed to enhance its role as the country's disaster management coordinator.
He said the matter is currently being reviewed in collaboration with the Prime Minister's Department and the Public Service Department.
Abdul Latiff said the matter had been decided during a cabinet meeting on Dec 22, last year.