PUTRAJAYA, April 8 — The government has agreed to establish a National Disaster Management Council, with all Menteri Besar, Chief Ministers, and the Premier of Sarawak serving as permanent members, said MADANI government spokesman cum Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
The decision was made at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today.
“The National Disaster Management Agency will serve as the council’s secretariat.
“The council will comprise all Menteri Besar, Chief Ministers, and the Premier of Sarawak as permanent members, and its meetings will be held right after the regular meetings of state leaders,” he said during the briefing on the global energy crisis and a post-Cabinet press conference today.
Fahmi added that the Cabinet was also informed of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s announcement on the extension of the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign until the end of 2027.
Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing also informed the Cabinet of the need to assess challenges facing sectors such as aviation and hospitality, to ensure they are not unduly affected by the global energy crisis and tensions in West Asia.
Meanwhile, Fahmi said the Cabinet extended its condolences to the family of former transport minister cum MCA honorary life president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, who passed away on Saturday (April 6).
“He served as Transport Minister for 17 years, making him one of the longest-serving and most influential figures in the role,” he said.
The Cabinet had also reviewed several forms of assistance to be extended to the family of the late Dr Ling as a mark of respect for his contributions.
