KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is developing a system which would send disaster alerts directly to mobile phones to get them to prepare them for any eventuality.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said he has already instructed MCMC to study methods which can be used so that the alerts can be sent to a particular location without using SMS.
He said a number of countries, including South Korea and Japan, are already using the system and it has become the norm for them in cases of earthquakes, tsunamis and missing persons.
"We see this as something that can benefit us. We will study it and streamline it with the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma).
"I have just liaised with MCMC on this. They are studying it and hope to finalise it within a month," he said.
Fahmi was speaking to reporters after officiating the Kuala Lumpur Civil Defence Force's 'Kampung Siaga 221: Disaster Resilient Community' programme in Kampung Pasir Baru, here today.
Also present was Civil Defence Force (management) deputy chief commissioner Datuk Ismail Mohd Zawawi.
Commenting on the programme, Fahmi said it is a collaboration between the Civil Defence Force and the Kampung Pasir Baru Residents Association to help them prepare for disasters.
"I'm pleased because after residents here experienced floods in 2021 and 2022, they undertook various efforts in terms of planning and equipment-gathering to prepare for future situations.
"I hope this programme can bring about awareness about the need to prepare for disasters," he said.