Malaysia’s first permanent disaster evacuation centre in Batu Pahat aims to boost preparedness and protect victim welfare.
BATU PAHAT: Malaysia’s first purpose-built Permanent Disaster Evacuation Centre (PPKB), completed at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Seri Medan here, will strengthen the country’s disaster preparedness while better safeguarding the welfare of the people, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.
He said Batu Pahat was selected as the location for the RM7.66 million project after the district was identified as a high-risk area, including recording 17 flood incidents between 2022 and 2026, involving a total evacuation of 36,000 victims.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the National Disaster Management Council chairman, said the development of the PPKB represents a shift in the country’s disaster management approach to ensure schooling sessions are not disrupted when evacuating disaster victims.
“I do not want to burden the headmaster, students or teachers at this school by using a small hall or classrooms to accommodate flood victims,” he said when officiating the SK Seri Medan PPKB here today.
The comprehensive facility, which can accommodate 500 victims at any one time, is equipped with an open hall, two futsal courts, cooking facilities, toilets, a surau, a treatment room, and dedicated accommodation blocks for senior citizens, women and persons with disabilities.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Minister of Rural and Regional Development, also suggested that the local community make creative use of the multipurpose facility during non-flood periods, including turning it into a pickleball court for youths, provided that proper maintenance of the premises is always prioritised.
The construction of the centre is part of a strategic initiative under the National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy 2030, which aims to develop at least one PPKB in every state in phases according to needs.
To date, the government is implementing nine pilot PPKB projects starting in 2024, followed by six new projects and three upgrading projects nationwide in 2025.
