SEGAMAT, JOHOR – [Date of Release] – In a powerful demonstration of community-centric disaster management, the Segamat Earthquake CBDRM Preparedness Program 2025 was successfully launched on Saturday, 20th September 2025. The event, held at the Dewan Masjid Bandar Segamat, marked a pivotal moment in empowering local residents to become certified first responders, capable of safeguarding their communities in the critical initial moments following a seismic event.
The program, a cornerstone initiative under the national disaster resilience framework, was orchestrated through a unique tripartite collaboration. Pertubuhan Ihsan Johor, a dedicated NADMA Partner NGO since 2018, led the organization, working in concert with the academic expertise of the Natural Disaster Research Centre (NDRC) at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS). The program received its strategic direction and funding from the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), highlighting a top-down support for bottom-up resilience.
Themed “Kesiapsiagaan Bencana Gempa Bumi dengan memperkasakan Komuniti sebagai ‘First Responder’” (Earthquake Disaster Preparedness by Empowering the Community as ‘First Responder’), the program directly supports NADMA’s Disaster Risk Management 2030 Policy. Its core mission is to reduce disaster-related casualties and economic losses by enhancing public understanding of risks and deeply involving communities in the disaster management lifecycle.
A Confluence of National Expertise for Local Empowerment
The program’s impact was magnified by an unprecedented assembly of experts from across Malaysia’s disaster management ecosystem. The knowledge transfer was led by a distinguished faculty, including:
- Mr. Noorazhar Ngatimin from the Jabatan Mineral & Geosains (JMG) Johor, who provided critical geological context on fault lines and regional seismic threats.
- Assoc. Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Noor Sheena Herayani Harith and Puan Eldawaty Madran from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), who translated complex disaster research into actionable community strategies.
- Cpl. Ronnie Micson from the elite Pasukan Khas Bantuan dan Penyelamat Malaysia (SMART), who shared advanced techniques from international search and rescue operations, adapted for community-level application.
- Dr. Nor Rahidah Abd Rahim & Dr. Suhaila Md Som from Hospital Permai, who delivered crucial modules on trauma care and Psychological First Aid (PFA) to address both physical and mental wounds.
- Mr. Roslan Ghani from the Persatuan Pengurusan Bencana Kebangsaan (NADIM) Malaysia and Datin Azura Ibrahim from Red A Humanitarian Development Global, who contributed best practices from the humanitarian and non-governmental sectors.
- Cpl. Mohd Fuad Mustakka from the Angkatan Pertahanan Awam (APM) Daerah Segamat and Mr. Mohamed Noor Suleiman from Pertubuhan Kepakaran Khas Respons Bencana Malaysia (SPEAR), who provided hyper-localized training tailored to Segamat’s specific infrastructure and geography.
The event was further honored by the presence and operational support of key district authorities, including the Pejabat Daerah Segamat, Balai Bomba Daerah Segamat, Balai Polis Daerah Segamat, and the Pejabat Kadi Daerah Segamat, alongside academics from Universiti Malaysia Pahang and the dedicated Ketua-ketua kampung (village chiefs) from the participating areas.
A Condensed, Action-Oriented Curriculum
Participants, comprising 56 residents from high-risk villages in DUN Pemanis and DUN Buluh Kasap, engaged in a rigorous, condensed curriculum. The training encompassed six core modules: understanding earthquake risks, conducting emergency preparedness drills, administering first aid for common injuries, providing Psychological First Aid (PFA), assembling an emergency “go-bag,” community risk mapping, and developing a actionable community emergency plan.
A Sustainable Model for National Resilience
“The success of this program is a testament to what can be achieved when government, academia, NGOs, and the community unite under a common goal,” said a spokesperson for Pertubuhan Ihsan Johor. “We are not just training individuals; we are weaving a resilient social fabric where every citizen understands that ‘Siaga Bencana, Tanggungjawab Bersama’ (Disaster Preparedness, A Shared Responsibility) is a personal duty. The true measure of success will be seeing these community-led plans activated and these first responder skills perpetuated throughout the villages of Segamat.”
The organizers have committed to expanding this initiative as a continuous, recurring effort across other high-risk hotspots in the district. The ultimate vision is to create a replicable model of community empowerment that can be adopted nationwide, ensuring that the knowledge vital for survival remains fresh and actionable, thereby fundamentally strengthening Malaysia’s resilience in the face of natural disasters.
Pictures contribute by Ihsan Johor
