No immediate plans to declare heatwave an emergency: Malaysia DPM Ahmad Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR: Amid the sweltering weather in Malaysia, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said on Tuesday (May 16) that the government has no immediate plans to declare the heatwave an emergency. 

However, the government is prepared to do so if necessary, he reportedly said after chairing a National Disaster Management Committee meeting. 

“For now, we don’t think there is a need for an emergency to be declared. 

“But if need be, we will issue Directive 20 of the National Security Council for an emergency to be called,” Ahmad Zahid was quoted as saying by The Star. 

The directive provides guidelines on managing disasters in Malaysia and covers prevention, preparedness, response and recovery should such an event occur. 

Current weather conditions will last until September and temperatures are expected to reach above 40 degrees Celsius in August, Ahmad Zahid reportedly said. 

As of 4.45pm on Monday, eight districts in Malaysia were issued with “Level 1” heatwave warning, according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia). This means that the daily maximum temperature in the districts was between 35 degrees Celsius and 37 degrees Celsius for three consecutive days.

The eight districts are Padang Terap in the state of Kedah, Pasir Mas and Kuala Krai in Kelantan, Pekan, Bera and Rompin in Pahang, as well as Segamat and Muar in Johor. 

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the chairman of the National Disaster Management Committee, said that cloud seeding operations will be done at catchment areas for seven dams across the country where the water level has receded. 

“The Armed Forces and MetMalaysia will work together to execute the exercise.

“This will be done soon so that the people whose water sources come from these dams will not have to suffer from water shortages,” he was quoted as saying by The Star on Tuesday. 

Ahmad Zahid reportedly added that the National Water Service Commission had been tasked to work with water operators and local authorities on the best way to distribute the domestic use of water should there be a shortage.

Amid the prolonged hot weather, schools in Malaysia have temporarily suspended all outdoor activities, including co-curricular and sports activities, following an announcement by Deputy Education Minister Lim Hui Ying on May 3. 

No schools have been closed so far, she said then. 

She also said that school administrators are to take precautionary measures and monitor the daily weather conditions.

“According to our guidelines, as long as the temperature exceeds 37 degrees Celsius (over three consecutive days), the state education departments will monitor and close the schools,” Ms Lim said, according to Malay Mail.

The education ministry has also allowed students and teachers to wear modest athletic clothing to school. 

"Taking into account the circumstances, the Education Ministry agrees to give special permission to students, teachers and other support staff to use modest athletic clothing during the hot weather,” said the ministry’s deputy director-general of school operations, Dr Norisah Suhaili, in a letter dated May 2.