Learning and Adaptation of Disaster Management and Housing Provision: The Malaysian Experience

This article reviews the literature on aspects of the 'Policy and Mechanism on National Disaster and Relief Management' in Malaysia. The review focuses on the evolution and transformation of disaster planning, particularly regarding land management according to the 'level and complexity' of a disaster. As a social regime, the Malaysian Government not only formulates a complete framework of disaster planning, it also has a mandate to ensure the plan works throughout the whole cycle of disaster management. To ensure efficiency in disaster management, it is essential to develop close liaisons between the bodies responsible for recovery and those concerned with disaster management. Disaster managers can develop strategies, including awareness-raising and capacity-building, by using the lessons learnt from previous disasters. These strategies can in turn enhance Malaysia's current legislation and ensure that disaster risk reduction is a national and local priority with a strong institutional basis for implementation.