Wee: M’sia to learn from Japan’s disaster management

PETALING JAYA: Best Japanese practices for disaster management are being studied for use in Malaysia, says Ayer Hitam MP Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong The member of the Malaysian Parliamentary Select Committee on Infrastructure, Transport and Communications (JKPK IPK), who was part of a delegation to Japan, said he was impressed by the in-depth planning when it came to disaster relief efforts.

“The JKPK IPK paid a courtesy call to Etoh Taku, chair of the special committee on disasters of Japan’s House of Representatives.

“It was an eye-opening experience as we got to study the best practices of Japan in rebuilding infrastructure after a disaster.

“We learnt how Japan enhances its resilience to face future events and restore essential infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and utilities, which is paramount for the safety and well-being of the affected population.

“There are measures and practices we can apply in our own country to improve our preparedness for any untoward incidents in the future and to reduce the impacts on those who are affected,” he said in a Facebook post yesterday.

He also has nothing but praise for the efficiency and effectiveness of Japan’s city planning and public transportation after a courtesy call with Japan’s newly-appointed State Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Kokuba Konosuke.

“Kokuba also shared with us the success of the Shinkansen, Japan’s premier high-speed rail system, since it started operations in 1964, especially from the safety aspect, as it has attained an astonishing zero-fatality rate in over six decades of operation.

“It was a privilege during this hour-long courtesy call to study the best practices of Japan in its implementation of smart city plans, public housing projects, and the Shinkansen.

“It has also been insightful to see how Japan has incorporated many elements to promote sustainable development and address future challenges in these initiatives.

“Known for being highly efficient, organised, systematic and considerate, the Japanese do not only focus on convenience in their deliberation process but also on making public infrastructure more human-centric to offer a better quality of life,” he wrote in a separate Facebook post yesterday.

The delegation was led by JKPK IPK chairman Yusuf Abdul Wahab, who is the Tanjung Manis MP.

Others in the delegation were Klang MP Ganabatirau Veraman, Wangsa Maju MP Zahir Hassan, Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan, Sipitang MP Datuk Matbali Musa and Jerantut MP Khairil Nizam Khirudin.