PUTRAJAYA, Jan 16 ― Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin launched today a National Centre of Research Excellence to focus on disaster management, in order to save the country billions of ringgit in property damages and losses of lives.
The deputy prime minister also announced a RM20 million research grant in disaster management and flood mitigation, which tertiary education institutions can apply through Long-Term Research Grant Scheme (LRGS) or Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS).
“One main field that should be explored by this country's academics is the management of disasters. This field is becoming more important in Malaysia,” the education minister said during his ministry's new year's address in the Putrajaya International Conference Centre here.
Muhyiddin said landslides, haze and floods are becoming much more common in the country recently, which calls for a comprehensive and effective approach in disaster management.
These included aspects such as environment management, disaster preparations, public awareness programmes, relief coordination, communication, and rebuilding flood-affected areas, he said.
Muhyiddin also suggested local universities focus research on environmental conservation and sustainable development, and called for high-impact researches in fields such as renewable energy, environment-friendly design, and hydrology.
The recent floods which affected states such as Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Perak and Johor had displaced over 250,000 Malaysians from their homes, and killed 21, according to the Inspector-General of Police.
The minister had earlier revealed that a total of around RM500 million was suffered in damages by schools and education institutions under the ministry nationwide.
