RM19 mil for tsunami early warning system
Beh Lih YiPublished: Jan 17, 2005 11:18 AM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 10:21 AM
The government will allocate about RM19 million to establish the tsunami early warning system by the end of this year, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said today.
The government will allocate about RM19 million to establish the tsunami early warning system by the end of this year, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said today.
He said the government agreed to set up the system following the Dec 26 tragedy which claimed 68 Malaysian lives. The widespread impact has killed some 162,000 to date in 12 countries around the Indian Ocean and Andaman Sea.
"The science, technology and innovation ministry has estimated the cost at US$5 million (RM19 million). The annual operational cost is RM3.5 million," Najib told a press conference at Parliament House this afternoon.
He said the new Bouyx system will detect movements under the sea. The current system in Malaysia can only detect earthquakes.
Najib, who is also the defence minister, said the government will gather technical information from the United States and Japan which have experience in dealing with tsunamis.
He had previously said experts from Japan would be invited to assist in setting up the system because the country has a comprehensive early warning system.
Emergency motion
The deputy premier was in the House earlier to wind up an hour-long debate on an emergency motion on the tsunami.
In tabling the motion, Ahmad Shabery Cheek (BN-Kemaman) said the issue was of public interest as Malaysia is a maritime nation.
"We are exposed to the threat of the tsunamis, not necessarily from the Indian Ocean alone, but also from other oceans. These could cause heart-wrenching devastation," he said.
He described the tsunami tragedy as an "eye-opener" for Malaysia, in being better prepared to handle a disaster of such magnitude.
Debating the motion, Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timor) called for a public inquiry to overcome the nation's "denial syndrome" and to learn all the right lessons.
He said the government should look into its own failure to give any warning of danger although it had about four hours' lead time before the killer waves hit the Malaysian coast.
Lim also called on the government to put in place a fair, compassionate, non-partisan and efficient post-disaster relief and recovery system.
Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah) urged the government to be transparent in handling the donations pooled under the national disaster relief fund.
Responding, Najib said the government will open the accounts for scrutiny, if the DAP does so first.
He said the government agreed to set up the system following the Dec 26 tragedy which claimed 68 Malaysian lives. The widespread impact has killed some 162,000 to date in 12 countries around the Indian Ocean and Andaman Sea. "The science, technology and innovation ministry has estimated the cost at US$5 million (RM19 million). The annual operational cost is RM3.5 million," Najib told a press conference at Parliament House this afternoon.
He said the new Bouyx system will detect movements under the sea. The current system in Malaysia can only detect earthquakes.
Najib, who is also the defence minister, said the government will gather technical information from the United States and Japan which have experience in dealing with tsunamis.
He had previously said experts from Japan would be invited to assist in setting up the system because the country has a comprehensive early warning system.
Emergency motion
The deputy premier was in the House earlier to wind up an hour-long debate on an emergency motion on the tsunami.
In tabling the motion, Ahmad Shabery Cheek (BN-Kemaman) said the issue was of public interest as Malaysia is a maritime nation.
"We are exposed to the threat of the tsunamis, not necessarily from the Indian Ocean alone, but also from other oceans. These could cause heart-wrenching devastation," he said. He described the tsunami tragedy as an "eye-opener" for Malaysia, in being better prepared to handle a disaster of such magnitude.
Debating the motion, Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timor) called for a public inquiry to overcome the nation's "denial syndrome" and to learn all the right lessons.
He said the government should look into its own failure to give any warning of danger although it had about four hours' lead time before the killer waves hit the Malaysian coast.
Lim also called on the government to put in place a fair, compassionate, non-partisan and efficient post-disaster relief and recovery system.
Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah) urged the government to be transparent in handling the donations pooled under the national disaster relief fund.
Responding, Najib said the government will open the accounts for scrutiny, if the DAP does so first.
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