KUKUM as an agent and role model in disaster preparedness and disaster management vis-à-vis the Malaysian Mechanism of Disaster Management

Abstract

KUKUM’s experience in contributing to the local community, functioning alongside the machineries of the Perlis State Government during the recent flood disaster is described at length in this paper. There was a continuous 3-day rain fall in the state capital of Kangar. On 17 December 2005, the whole of Kangar town and its surrounding area was hit by flood, cutting it off from the rest of the country. The state Police Contingent, the Fire and Rescue Department and other essential government agencies were encircled with flood water approximately 3 feet deep. The University campus was not spared either. For the very first time, KUKUM’s emergency preparedness was put to trial. Owing to its already laid down emergency preparedness infrastructure, the Rector of the KUKUM was able to call upon the University Emergency Rescue Team and the University Red Crescent Society report for work. In this paper, we share our experiences in disaster preparedness and management during our course in assisting the civil authorities and at the same time fulfil our internal commitment to the staffs, students and all those who work together within the University.