Malaysia Calls For Stronger Regional Cooperation In Urban Search And Rescue

From Noraizura Ahmad

NANNING, Sept 18 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is keen to strengthen regional cooperation in urban search and rescue (USAR) preparedness and the responsible application of technology, particularly through knowledge-sharing with ASEAN and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) partners.

Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) deputy secretary-general (Housing and Urban Wellbeing) Zulkeflee Sulaiman said regional cooperation was essential as disasters did not respect borders and no country had all the answers.

“Malaysia therefore looks forward to sharing our experiences while learning from our ASEAN and ASEAN Regional Forum partners, particularly in strengthening USAR preparedness and responsible application of technology,” he said in his opening remarks at the 3rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Workshop on Urban Emergency Rescue here today.

Zulkeflee said the first few hours following an urban disaster were critical, requiring responders to quickly locate trapped victims, assess risks, determine safe access and deploy limited resources effectively.

He said agencies also had to coordinate operations under pressure, often while working with incomplete information, making emerging technologies increasingly relevant to emergency response efforts.

“Artificial intelligence (AI), drones, remote sensing, geospatial technologies and robotics can strengthen situational awareness, accelerate information processing, identify risks and support better operational decisions.

“Most importantly, they can enhance responder safety and help us reach affected communities faster,” he said.

For Malaysia, Zulkeflee said the approach was in line with the country’s broader commitment to strengthening disaster risk reduction, with the 13th Malaysia Plan (2026-2030) placing greater emphasis on risk-informed planning, resilience and preparedness at national, state and local levels.

He said KPKT, together with the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department and other agencies, continued to strengthen the country’s preparedness, urban resilience and emergency response capabilities.

“However, one lesson remains clear, technology alone does not save lives…people, preparedness and coordination do.

“AI must therefore be supported by skilled responders, reliable data, interoperable systems, clear command and control and strong cooperation among agencies and countries,” he said.

The seminar, co-hosted by China, Laos and Malaysia from Sept 17 to 21 under the theme “Artificial Intelligence Empowering Urban Emergency Rescue”, features discussions and practical activities on the use of AI and emerging technologies in USAR, bringing together emergency management authorities, experts and practitioners from ASEAN member states and ARF participants.

-- BERNAMA