Days after ceremonies remembering the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami that killed more than 225,000 people across the Indian Ocean basin, Malay state-run broadcaster Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) launched a Disaster Unit to aid in channeling reports to television and radio stations.
The unit is responsible for disseminating information about weather events, earthquakes, landslides, floods, haze, storms, river levels, sea conditions, tides and other disasters, as well as offering safety guidelines to help the public during disasters and recovery.
“It will also instill public awareness on the need to follow the directive of authorities during disasters,” Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek said at the launch of the service, according to Malay news agency Bernama.
Muhammad Yazid Mohd Naim is head of the Disaster Unit, which is based at RTM headquarters in Angkasapuri.
Ahmad Shabery said the unit would have representatives at all RTM stations who will monitor and coordinate disaster coverage. The Meteorological Department, Drainage and Irrigation Department, Fire and Rescue Department, Bukit Aman Police and the National Security Council are cooperating with the RTM Disaster Unit, too.
