31/03/2025

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MONDAY | MAR 31, 2025

Saving lives priority even if celebrating Raya away from home SUBANG: Members of the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (Smart) taking part in the search and rescue (SAR) operations in Myanmar are highly motivated and determined despite being far away from their families during the Hari Raya celebration. an instruction on Friday. Without hesitation, I made my way to the Smart headquarters within an hour to get ready to go to Myanmar. SAR mission overseas since he joined Smart four years ago. “I’m prioritising this mission because searching for disaster victims is our responsibility as rescue personnel. Insya Allah , when I return, my wife, our three children and I can celebrate Aidilfitri in my hometown in Kota Bharu.” “I was told to be ready at 2pm on Friday. Although I’m sad to be away from my family, I am determined because this is a big responsibility. My husband reminded me to be careful and focus on the task,” she said. Fifty Smart members left for Naypyidaw, Myanmar, yesterday

Fire 1 Mohamad Hafiezul Abdul Halim, comprises 16 personnel from the Armed Forces, 13 from the police and 21 from the Fire and Rescue Department The Smart team, which is under the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), along with SAR equipment – including two five-tonne trucks and a four-wheel drive vehicle – left in two Royal Malaysian Air Force A400M aircraft that took off from the RMAF Subang Air Base at 9.30am and 10am respectively. – Bernama

“In 2023, I declined to join a mission to Turkiye because my wife was ill at that time. This time, I did not want to let go of the opportunity to help those in need. “ Alhamdulillah , my wife understands my job and the urgent need to act,” he said. For Nik Mohd Farihan Nik Zawawi, 38, this will be his first time joining the

Mohd Idris Hassan said the call of duty is the priority, even if it means having to miss out on celebrating with families and friends in his hometown. “I was preparing to return home to Tanah Merah, Kelantan when I received

Avlyanie Moidi, 28, of Tuaran in Sabah, the sole Smart woman in this mission, said she is proud to represent Malaysia in this humanitarian mission despite having to be away from her husband and child.

morning on a humanitarian mission as well as to participate in the search and rescue (SAR) operations for earthquake victims. The team, led by contingent commander Senior Superintendent of

Vigilance required despite M’sia having low quake risk

Bill crucial step towards autonomy, efficiency PUTRAJAYA: The recently passed Parliamentary Services Bill represents a crucial step towards enhancing the independence and efficiency of Malaysia’s parliamentary institution. International Islamic University Malaysia constitutional expert Assoc Prof Datuk Dr Wan Ahmad Fauzi Wan Husain said one of the key provisions is the restoration of Parliament’s administrative and financial autonomy, which had been under executive control since the repeal of the Parliamentary Services Act 1963 in 1992. He said the Bill empowers the Parliamentary Service Council to independently oversee financial management, appointments, promotions and administrative matters without relying on the Public Service Department (PSD). “The guarantee of financial allocation is a necessary component of the democratic system’s checks and balances, as the executive should not have direct authority in determining the remuneration of the Senate president and Dewan Rakyat speaker. This principle is codified in the Act. “This provision ensures that these presiding officers are not subject to the direct control or discretion of the executive in matters concerning their remuneration and entitlements. As a result, they can preside over parliamentary proceedings with impartiality.” Wan Ahmad said in matters of finance, staffing and promotions for members of the Parliamentary Service, there is now greater certainty, as Parliament is mandated to allocate sufficient funds under the Act, ensuring their independence from PSD. “With the passage of this Bill, Malaysia joins several other Commonwealth nations that have implemented similar mechanisms. Although not identical in form, the overarching objective remains the same, namely to establish financial and administrative independence for Parliament.” – Bernama Ugadi festival symbol of unity in diversity: Minister KUALA LUMPUR: The spirit of the Ugadi New Year festival, celebrated by theTelugu community yesterday, is in line with the principles of national unity because it is based on joy, togetherness and welfare National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said being a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country, Malaysia is rich in cultural diversity, which is a valuable asset in strengthening national unity – and Ugadi is one of them. “Ugadi is not just a celebration but also a reflection of values that can be learned and appreciated together. “We must also embrace diversity as a country’s strength that can make us more united. When we accept differences with an open heart, we not only strengthen unity but also create a society that is more inclusive and progressive,” he said in a Facebook post. Ugadi, from the Sanskrit words“Yuga”(era) and“Adi” (beginning), is the beginning of the Telugu New Year. It is celebrated by communities in South India, such as Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka. In Malaysia, it is celebrated by the Telugu community as the beginning of a new year, bringing hope and renewal. – Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: Despite being located outside the Pacific Ring of Fire, Malaysia is not entirely immune to earthquakes. Experts emphasise the importance of remaining vigilant, particularly regarding tremors caused by seismic activity in neighbouring countries. Institute of Geology Malaysia’s president Abd Rasid Jaapar said Malaysia’s positioning away from major tectonic plate collision zones significantly reduces its risk of major earthquakes. However, minor tremors have been recorded in certain areas in recent decades. “Earthquakes are unpredictable in both location and magnitude. For example, Bukit Tinggi experienced a 3.8-magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale. While there is currently no significant earthquake risk in Peninsular Malaysia, claiming there is no risk at all would be inaccurate.” Rasid said Sabah faces a notably higher risk due to its proximity to active seismic zones. The zones include the collision areas of the Philippine Sea Plate and Eurasian Plate and movements along local active faults. On Saturday, the United States Geological Survey reported a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar at a depth of 10km. Minutes later, an aftershock measuring 6.4 struck the same area. Tremors from both earthquakes were felt in Chiang Mai and Bangkok, Thailand, as well as Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Bernama reported. Historically, Malaysia has experienced strong earthquakes, particularly in Sabah, where quakes ranging between magnitudes 6.0 and 6.3 occurred in 1923, 1958, 1976 and 2015, while Sarawak recorded a 5.3-magnitude tremor in 1994. In Peninsular Malaysia, earthquakes have been recorded at epicentres in Bukit Tinggi (Pahang), Kenyir Dam (Terengganu), Kuala Pilah (Negeri Sembilan), Manjung and Temenggor (Perak). The quakes ranged from magnitudes 1.6 to 4.6 and occurred in 1984, o Minor tremors have been recorded in certain areas in recent decades: Expert KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s swift decision to deploy a humanitarian team to Myanmar underscores its responsibility as the Asean Chair for 2025. Security and International Relations Analyst at the University of Malaya (UM), Collins Chong said the move signals the kind of leadership expected of Asean at a time when both urgency and solidarity are needed. “The early coordination efforts and the

HUMANITARIAN MISSION ... Fifty members of Smart, along with five-tonne trucks and a four-wheel drive vehicle, left for Naypyidaw yesterday morning to assist in search and rescue operations for earthquake victims in Myanmar. – BERNAMAPIC

He also said the department has deployed 83 sirens at tsunami-prone areas nationwide with the Malaysian Tsunami Early Warning System (SAATNM) capable of issuing public alerts within eight minutes of detection. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Centre director Dr Khamarrul Azahari Razak emphasised the need for cross-sectoral disaster planning. He urged the government to enhance evacuation strategies, coordination and emergency measures, particularly for relocating large populations to safer areas. He said since the 2015 Sabah earthquake, which claimed 18 lives, his team has been actively conducting disaster education programmes in the state. To minimise earthquake risks, he said

1985, 1987, 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2013. Malaysian Bumiputera Contractors Association president Datuk Azman Yusoff revealed that nearly all new high-rise buildings in Malaysia have been constructed using earthquake-resistant materials over the last decade. He said the government, through the Department of Standards Malaysia, has implemented building codes, including the Malaysia National Annex to Eurocode 8: Design of Structures for Earthquake Resistance, which focuses on helping buildings withstand earthquakes. Azman highlighted the importance of spring isolators, emphasised in Eurocode 8, which relates to absorbing seismic energy. The technologies, he said, allow buildings (skyscrapers and shopping malls) to detach their foundations from ground movements, reducing the risk of collapse during earthquakes. Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) director-general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said MetMalaysia currently operates 80 seismic sensors nationwide to monitor earthquake activity. leadership shown are seen as the needed steps for leadership authority taken as the Asean Chair.” The latest update from Myanmar’s State Administration Council (SAC) information team reported that the earthquake has claimed 1,002 lives, injured 2,376 people, while 30 are missing. Many buildings were damaged, and rescue operations are underway, international media reported.

the Department of Minerals and Geoscience introduced the Seismic Hazard Map of Peninsular Malaysia,