GEORGE TOWN, May 12 — The Penang government is strengthening measures to face the anticipated El Niño phenomenon later this year with a focus on protecting vulnerable groups such as children, senior citizens, low-income communities, women and persons with disabilities.
State Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo (PH-Perai) said the state government, through the Disaster Management Unit (UPB) and Think City, has developed community preparedness guidelines for heatwaves and floods under the Penang Nature-Based Climate Adaptation Programme (PNBCAP).
He said the initiative aims to improve awareness, preparedness and community resilience among groups with limited access to information on climate-related risks.
“The target groups for the heatwave and flood preparedness programmes are vulnerable communities such as women, children, senior citizens, low-income residents and persons with disabilities,” he told the State Legislative Assembly sitting today in reply to a question from Muhammad Fauzi Yusoff (PAS-Sungai Dua) regarding the state’s preparedness for extreme hot weather caused by El Niño.
He said the state government, through the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), has already implemented several immediate measures including monthly El Niño updates, daily hot weather alerts and forecasts of at least seven consecutive dry days.
The state is also monitoring forest fire risks using the Fire Danger Rating System (FDRS) and issuing haze forecasts through the Community Multiscale Air Quality Modelling (CMAQ) system.
Sundarajoo said the state had also organised several disaster preparedness programmes this year, including the Penang Disaster Operations Management Workshop 2026 Series 1 focusing on maritime disaster response involving passenger ship fires at sea.
In April, the state conducted a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives Hazardous Materials (CBRNE Hazmat) disaster simulation exercise involving risks of gas pipeline explosions and fires linked to drought and extreme heat conditions.
On public health preparedness, Sundarajoo said Penang is adhering to the Ministry of Health’s Guidelines on Risk Management and Health Advice Related to Heatwaves issued in 2012.
He said the guidelines contain structured response plans based on temperature thresholds and specifically identify high-risk groups such as children, the elderly and individuals with chronic illnesses.
“The Penang Health Department continuously monitors heat-related illnesses based on warnings issued by MetMalaysia while also providing health education and advisories to the public,” he said.
On support for the B40 group, Sundarajoo said the state government has intensified outreach programmes to ensure low-income communities receive information regarding El Niño and related disaster risks.
He added that disaster aid is provided regardless of socioeconomic status.
Under the Federal Government-funded Bantuan Wang Ihsan (BWI) managed by the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), affected heads of households receive RM1,000 while next of kin of disaster fatalities receive RM10,000.
The Penang State Disaster Fund also provides compensation ranging from RM200 to RM10,000 depending on the extent of housing damage.
Sundarajoo said the state’s preparedness strategy for storms focuses on enhanced monitoring and early warning systems, inter-agency coordination and infrastructure maintenance.
Among the measures include weather alerts through the Penang Alert system, SMS warnings to rescue agencies and real-time monitoring through MBPP’s Disaster and Weather Monitoring Module under the Virtual Island of Penang (VIP) initiative.
He said local councils and the Public Works Department (JKR) are also carrying out maintenance works on roads, drains, bridges and high-risk trees to minimise damage during extreme weather events.
In 2025, the state government together with Nadma allocated RM80,000 for maintenance and repair works at four temporary evacuation centres not under the Education Ministry, he added.
