LETTERS: It seems that more and more Malaysians live in fear due to the increasing threat of floods and landslides.
Housing areas that were flood-free have now become flood-prone. Places for family holidays — beautiful hillslopes and riverbanks for outdoor activities — are no longer deemed safe.
People are inevitably captivated by disasters.
Shocking images from affected areas are reported and shared in the news and on social networks almost instantly.
For example, immediately following the Batang Kali landslide, I received at least two video clips featuring several landslides on country roads. These videos could make people fearful, even though no casualties were reported.
All of us are not immune from the risk of disaster. Most of us have the perception that anything to do with mitigating the risk of natural disasters is solely the responsibility of the authorities. I disagree.
We must embrace the belief that safety is everyone's responsibility. Everyone must take safety seriously, or everyone is at risk.
I am involved in the Alliance for Safe Community, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that promotes safety as a way of life. We were recently invited for a dialogue by the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma).
I must say that Nadma has done a fantastic job, not only in emergency response but also in increasing the focus on preparedness.
It had the foresight to set up a network of NGOs called Rakan Nadma to leverage their strengths that go beyond response and rescue. They also reach out to the communities to raise awareness of the importance of preparedness in disaster risk reduction.
Nadma, in fact, advocates that safety is everyone's responsibility. The people have a role to play in making the country a safer place.
So how can we do this?
Just a week before the Batang Kali landslide, my family was planning a getaway at a highland resort this month.
The plan was, however, halted by the real heads of the house (our wives), when they unanimously decided it was unwise to drive on winding hillslopes during the rainy season. In hindsight, we salute the wisdom of the women for making the safe choice.
The quality of our lifestyle is not compromised because we always have the option of visiting another place.
In a video clip produced by a foreign media company, a survivor of the Batang Kali landslide says: "We felt the tents becoming unstable, and soil was falling around us. Luckily, I was able to leave the tent and go to some place safer."
I applaud her for being alert to the first sign of risk. She was able to make a quick decision that saved her life and the lives of her loved ones.
To be in a position to make safe choices, we rely on knowledge and information such as early warning systems. Unfortunately, not everyone has the same or required knowledge.
Approved hospitality facilities are legally bound to protect guests from harm, which includes landslides, floods and lightning strikes. Guests or visitors have every right to refuse checking in or cancel if operators are not in compliance with safety rules.
During vacation, however, our risk tolerance is higher (more relaxed). There is an element of "tidak apa", lacking the desire to care about safety and assess the risk, let alone being the eyes of the authorities and reporting any potential danger or safety breach.
When incidents happen, we point fingers at the authorities or blame Mother Nature. I am not implying that with knowledge and information, we will escape from all harm.
However, to a good extent, I believe the ability to reduce disaster risks is in our hands.
CHIN YEW SIN
Shah Alam, Selangor
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times