KUCHING: Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong said the National Security Council (MKN) had set its policy and mechanism for coordination and management during disasters.
“Directive No 20 of the MKN established the Disaster Operations Control Centre (PKOB) as the centre to coordinate, management and assistance during disasters.
“It is not aimed at bureaucracy and delaying nor preventing any non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or volunteers from helping. But there is a need for coordination to avoid issues,” he said in reply to Ahmad Johnie Zawawi (GPS-Igan) in the Parliament yesterday (Feb 23).
According to Ugak, among the issues that need to be avoided include the duplication and waste of aid caused by lack of information provided and also to ensure the safety of the NGOs and volunteers entering disaster areas.
Earlier, Ahmad Johnie posed a question to Ugak on how the government would help in coordinating aid and support from NGOs and volunteers during disasters and critical situations.
