BANGKOK, Jan 23 — Malaysia and Japan have pledged to cooperate in the area of public safety, especially in the use of information and communication technology (ICT) for disaster preparedness, prevention and mitigation.
Communication and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said Malaysia would benefit by learning from Japan’s vast experience and comprehensive standard operating procedure (SOP) to further strengthen the country’s national preparedness in facing natural disasters and other calamities.
He made this point at a bilateral meeting between both countries on the sidelines of the 14th Asean Telecommunications and IT Ministers (Telmin) Meeting here today.
Shabery led the Malaysian delegation, while Yasuo Sakamoto, Vice-Minister for Policy Coordination (International Affairs), Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications led the Japanese side at the meeting.
The Malaysian minister noted that Malaysia experienced an unprecedented wave of floods in December last year which resulted in tremendous damage to property and disruption of livelihood.
“We appreciate Japan’s willingness to share their experience, expertise and technology in enhancing disaster preparedness utilising ICT for public safety. This will also include disaster prevention and mitigation,” Shabery said.
“We will continue this dialogue with Japan and also the Asean Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) to identify specific areas and actions that will help to enhance resilience and preparedness in the country’s ICT infrastructure and services,” he added.
The bilateral meeting also discussed other areas of cooperation, including mobile digital wallet, reduction of international mobile roaming rates, content and broadcasting.
TELMIN is an annual meeting of Asean ministers responsible for telecommunications and information technology to discuss policy directions for Asean’s ICT developmental agenda.
The Malaysian delegation included Communication and Multimedia Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Sharifah Zarah Syed Ahmad and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Halim Shafie as well as senior officials from the ministry and MCMC. — Bernama
