SEBERANG PRAI: The disaster management unit, set up by the Penang government, is ever ready to face industrial disasters in the state, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said.
He said the unit, under the State Secretary's Office, also acts to integrate logistics in the event of any disaster.
Chow added that all manpower, including the government, private sector, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), local communities, society, and individuals, has been jointly mobilised under the unit to serve as a cohesive team to deal with crises.
To ensure better preparedness, he said, an industrial disaster simulation exercise was conducted at the Prai Bulk Cargo Terminal (PBCT) here today.
"We are all aware that this state is an industrial state with the main development of the state being driven by the relevant economic sectors.
"As such, the state government will always ensure that the industries can operate with minimal risk and early availability to avoid any untoward incident," he said when officiating the Penang Industrial Disaster Simulation Exercise 2024 at the PBCT here.
"In line with that, the main objective of this disaster simulation exercise is to increase preparedness and efficiency in dealing with industrial disasters in Penang," he added,
With the implementation of the simulation exercise, Chow hoped that it would test and strengthen the role of the agencies as well as each of the Emergency Response Teams (ERT) of industry players, who have Major Hazard Installations in the state.
"The engagement and coordination session through the Tabletop Exercise that was held on May 8 gave a clear picture of the readiness of each agency to face the industrial disaster simulation today.
"Crisis Communication at every level of disaster management needs to be improved not only to explain the negative perceptions among the community that can affect the image of the government, but also to ensure that each team in disaster management clearly understands their respective roles and responsibilities," he said.
Meanwhile, Chow said the state government also approved the setting up of a Disaster Humanitarian Logistics Centre or depot, to be developed on government-owned land in the Seberang Prai Tengah district.