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Disaster Types in Malaysia: An Overview

The Authors
Ibrahim Mohamed Shaluf, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of 7th April, Alzawia, Libya Fakhru'l-Razi Ahmadun, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia

Abstract
Purpose To provide graduate students, researchers, and responsible personnel with an overview on the disaster types worldwide in general and disaster types in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach The types of disasters by region for the period 1988-1997 were obtained from recent published sources. The disasters which occurred in Malaysia have been collected from several sources such as the technical, general articles, internet web sites, and internal reports. The disasters which occurred during the period of 1968-2004 have been reviewed. The disasters have been classified into natural disasters, man-made disasters, and subsequent disasters. The man-made disasters have been classified into technological disasters, transportation accidents, public places failure, and production failure. Findings Disasters have been classified into natural, man-made disasters. The regions worldwide have experienced all kinds of natural disasters in last decade. It was pointed out that the occurrence of disasters from almost all kinds of hazards is among the highest in Asia and the Pacific. Malaysia experienced natural, man-made and subsequent disasters. Malaysia has experienced 39 disasters during the period of 1968-2004. The natural disasters were 49 percent of total disasters. Most of the natural disasters were resulted from the heavy rains. Malaysia has experienced 18 man-made disasters. The man-made disasters resulted in 282 fatalities, and 1,892 injuries. Originality/value This paper presents an overview on the disaster types by region worldwide. The paper also presents an overview on the disaster types in Malaysia. This paper combined the scattered disasters into one record. Therefore, there is a need for an authorized body to be responsible for the collecting, arranging, classifying, and storing of all type of the accidents in Malaysia. This experience can be benefited from/at any country. Introduction The Malaysian National Security Council (MNSC) Directive 20 (2003) defines disaster as an emergency situation of some complexity that will cause the loss of lives, damage property and the environment, and hamper local social and economic activities. Disasters have been classified into natural, and man-made disasters. Natural disasters are catastrophic events resulting from natural causes such as floods, landslides, mudslides, etc. over which man has no control. Natural disasters are often termed Act of God. Man-made disasters can be sudden or long term (IFRCRCS, 2003). Sudden man-made disasters are known as socio-technical disasters. Richardson (1994) highlighted that the socio-technical disaster occurs in at least four types of organizational situations. These are: 1. 2. 3. 4. technological disaster (plant and factory failures); transport failures; stadia or other public place failures; and production failures.

Long-term disasters tend to refer to national and international conflicts. Natural and/or man-made disasters sometimes trigger subsequent disasters such as displaced people, and haze (IFRCRCS, 2003). The subsequent disasters have social and economic impacts. Malaysia is locating in the South-East Asia at tropical region. This region is characterized with the heavy rains almost all the year. The region is rich with the tropical forests and the jungles. Malaysia has experienced several natural disasters such as the landslides, mudslides, and floods due to the heavy rains. Malaysia has set a plan to be fully developed country by year 2020 (Aini et al., 2001).

Malaysia is witnessing development in all sectors in fast pace. Malaysia has experienced 16 manmade disasters such as the transportation accidents, technological disasters, public places failures, and production failure. Malaysia has also experienced subsequent disasters such as the haze from the forest fires at the neighboring countries. This paper reviews in brief the types of disasters in general. This paper also reviews the disaster types in Malaysia. Disaster types The disaster types have been summarized by Turner and Pedgeon (1997), Richardson (1994), Hood and Jackson (1992), Directive 20 (2003), IFRCRCS (2003), The CRED (2003), FEMA (2003), MFAAA (2003), WHO (2003a, b) and UNEP-APELL (2003). It was found that the disastrous events could be covered by three disaster types and subsequent disasters. The disaster types are natural, and manmade disasters. Bohari and Rashid (2001) pointed out that the world has witnessed many hydrological disasters (floods and cyclones) and geological disasters (earthquake, volcanic eruptions and landslides). Bohari highlighted that in the period 1947-1981, there were 554 hydrological disasters compared to 208 geological disasters. Within the two categories, floods were the most frequent followed by tropical cyclones and earthquakes. Although floods are the most frequent natural disaster, earthquakes and tropical cyclones cause the most fatalities. Kishore (2003) reviewed the types of disasters by region for the period 1988-1997. The disasters types have been summarized in Table I. Kishore highlighted that Asia and the Pacific are affected by almost every conceivable hazard geological hazards such as earthquake, landslides, and volcanic eruptions; hydro-metrological hazards such as floods, cyclones and droughts; and other hazards such as epidemics, insect infestations, hot and cold waves, and forest fires. Kishore pointed out that the occurrence of disasters from almost all kinds of hazards is among the highest in Asia and the Pacific. Types of disasters in Malaysia Although Malaysia is geographically outside the Pacific Rim of fire and is relatively free from any severe ravages and destruction caused by natural disasters such as earthquake, typhoons and volcanic eruptions, nevertheless the country is subjected to monsoon floods, landslides and severe haze episodes. The country also from time to time experiences some man-made disasters, which cause considerable damages to property and loss of lives. Malaysia has experienced 39 disasters during the period of 1968-2004 (Aini et al., 2001; Khan and Ali, 2001; DOSH, 2001; Daud and Adam, 2002; ADRC, 2003; Relief Web, 2003). The disasters were classified to natural, man-made and subsequent disasters. It has been noted that the disasters resulted in 1,742 fatalities and 2,713 injuries. Natural disasters Malaysia has experienced 19 natural disasters. The natural disasters resulted in 1,460 fatalities, and 821 injuries. Besides flooding, Malaysia subjected to landslides. Malaysia has experienced two major landslides. Farming activities involving indiscriminate clearing of land, coupled with continuous downpours, were partly blamed for landslides in Cameron Highlands over four days from December 4 to 7, 1994. Another landslide on June 30, 1995, took place about 39km from capital city Kuala Lumpur. The site of the tragic incident was a slip road leading to the Genting Highlands resorts. Part of the hill came crashing down as flood waters washed tons of earth and fallen trees down the hilly slope. About a dozen or so vehicles including cars, buses and vans, which were on their way to Genting Highlands, were swept down (ADRC, 2003). Ismail (2003) reviewed the tropical storms for the past 16 years. Ismail pointed out that the most commonly tropical storms, which normally experienced by the Malaysian Peninsular is the Sumatran and other local storm. The storms were frequently experienced in the west coast states, especially Kedah, Selangor, Penang and Perlise. Malaysia has experienced the tropical storm Greg which hit part of Sabah in 1996 and resulted in 230 fatalities. WHO (2003a, b) summarized the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) cases worldwide with onset of illness from November 2002 to July 31, 2003. The SARS illness cases in Malaysia were reported between March 14 and April 22, 2003. The SARS resulted in two fatalities in Malaysia.

Tsunami triggered by the most powerful earthquake hit the northwest states of Pulau Pinang and Kedah in Malaysia on December 26, 2004. The tsunami resulted in 68 fatalities, 6 missing and 73 people were in-patient and 694 were out-patient (ADRC, 2005; WHO, 2005). Man-made disasters Malaysia has experienced 18 man-made disasters. The man-made disasters resulted in 282 fatalities and 1,892 injuries. Man-made disasters can be sudden or long-term disasters (IFRCRCS, 2003). Sudden man-made disasters are known as socio-technical disasters. Malaysia has experienced several socio-technical disasters. The socio-technical disasters can be summarized as follows: Technological disasters The technological disaster is defined by ILO's (1988) Major Hazard Control Manual as: an occurrence such as a major emission, fire or explosion resulting from uncontrolled developments in the course of an industrial activity, leading to a serious danger to man, immediate or delayed, inside or outside the establishment, and to the environment, and involving one or more dangerous substances. Malaysia has experienced ten technological disasters in the period of 1968-2002. The technological disasters involved at the major hazard installation (MHIs). The technological disasters resulted in 144 fatalities and 201 injuries. The Japanese Encephalitis (JE) was broken out in the three states namely Perak, Negri Sembilan and Melaka. The company, which was prohibited from manufacturing in Japan, transferred its plant to Malaysia. The radioactive substance by-products that were produced during production of Yttrium was dumped indiscriminately. This severely contaminated the area, and the nearby villagers fell ill (Aini et al., 2001). Sulaiman (2003) pointed out that the cost of JE outbreak in Perak was estimated to be RM2.3 million, and the total direct cost of the outbreak in Malacca and Negri Sembilan was estimated to be RM818 million with the value of pigs culled estimated at RM215 million and farm infrastructure that had to be destroyed at RM500 million. Prime News (2004) highlighted that thick fumes from a fire at a chemical factory, the second incident in three days forced more than 300 residents of Taman Nagasari in the Pari industrial area. Transportation accidents Major rail/highway accidents can cause large number of casualties, hazardous materials incidents, and major disruption of vital transportation routes. An air crash involving a large passenger aircraft can occur anywhere, but the greatest risks are in and around airports. Any accident that produces numerous injuries could overwhelm local emergency medical resources. Malaysia has experienced two transportation accidents. Public places failure Stadia and public places failures are one of the socio-technical disasters. The public places failure includes the collapse of stadia, high-rise buildings and the urban fires. Urban fires occur in structures as high-rise apartment buildings, condominiums, schools, etc. Malaysia has experienced three collapses of high-rise buildings. The collapse of the high-rise buildings resulted in 91 fatalities and 1,685 injuries. Malaysia also has experienced two fire incidents resulted in three fatalities, and three injuries. Production failure The production failures include the followings: computer system breakdowns; and production and distribution of defective products.

Malaysia has experienced one production failure. The water shortage crisis in 1998 affected 1.8 million residents in the Federal Territory and the surrounding region (Aini et al., 2001). Subsequent disasters Subsequent disasters are those disasters, which resulted from natural and/or man-made disasters. Malaysia has experienced two haze (subsequent) disasters summarized in Table VIII. The haze is defined by IMPROVE (2003) as an atmospheric aerosol of sufficient concentration to be visible. The particles are so small that they cannot be seen individually, but are still effective in scene distortion and visual range restriction. Forest fires may start by natural causes such as volcanic eruptions, lightning or from man-made causes. In September-November 1997, parts of several countries in South-East Asia, including Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, The Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia, were affected by heavy air pollution, primarily caused by exceptionally large-scale forest fires in Indonesia. It was pointed out (BBC, 2003) that the cause of forest fire in Indonesia was probably from some farmers who plant few crops under the jungle canopy, or from commercial plantation of rubber and palm oil. Megawati and Widjaja (2001) pointed out that the Department of Fire Prevention in Forestry and Plantation stated that almost 99 percent of forest fires, which occurred, were due to human error. There are many economic, environmental and social costs associated with the forest fire disaster (Relief Web, 2003). Sulaiman (2003) summarized the types of damage due to the haze in 1997 as follows: medical costs of illness; loss of productivity during the state of emergency; decline intourist arrivals; flight cancellations; decline in fish landings; cost of firefighting; and cost of cloud seeding to induce rain.

Mohamed et al. (2001) pointed out that the haze was one of the worst environmental disasters in last decade. Almost 70 million people were affected. The state of Sarawak in Malaysia declared a state of emergency and at one stage had even thought of evacuating its 2 million people when the air pollution index recorded a figure of 839. Mohamed et al. (2001) also pointed out that the WWF estimated the losses with $6 billion from lost agriculture output, medical bills, and decrease in tourism. Discussion Disasters have been classified into natural, man-made disasters. Natural disasters are catastrophic events resulting from natural causes. Natural disasters are often termed Act of God. The authors believe that everything happen with the will of the god. Although the natural disasters are beyond the control of human being, however, the impacts of the natural disasters can be reduced by setting up of advanced warning systems which forecast the impending natural disasters, also the consequences of the natural disasters can be reduced through an effective disaster management. The regions worldwide have experienced all kinds of natural disasters in last decade. It was pointed out that the occurrence of disasters from almost all kinds of hazards is among the highest in Asia and the Pacific. It was also pointed out that floods account for 40 percent of the natural hazards affecting the Asia and Pacific regions. In Asia alone in last decade more than 83 percent of the total reported disasters were due to floods. Malaysia has experienced 19 natural disasters. The natural disasters were 49 percent (Table IX) of the total disasters. Around 30 percent of the natural disasters in Malaysia were due to landslides. The landslides resulted in 1,038 fatalities. Malaysia has experienced 18 man-made disasters. The man-made disasters can be classified into technological, transportation, public places failure and production failures. Man-made disasters were about 46 percent of the total disasters. It has been noted that Malaysia has experienced ten technological disasters involved MHIs. The technological disasters were about 56 percent of the man-made disasters. The technological disasters were resulted due to operating of MHIs. Two technological disasters occurred at the fireworks industry. The fireworks industry was about 20 percent of the total technological disasters. The fireworks disasters resulted in 26 lives and injured 106 and lift severe damage to the factories and the

residential areas. The fireworks industry is dangerous business, where the manufacturing of fireworks products is imposing a continuous source of potential hazards and could jeopardize the employees and surrounded residents to danger. Therefore, a decision was made to close any fireworks factory and not to allow installing any fireworks factory in Malaysia. The frequency of technological disasters at mutual MHIs, water treatment plants, petrochemical plants, and at the chemical process plants was one time for each disaster, which was about 10 percent. The technological disaster at the mutual MHIs resulted in 13 fatalities and high damaged cost to both facilities. The technological disaster at the water treatment plant was resulted in 79 injuries. The technological disaster at the chemical process plant resulted in 12 injuries, and badly damaged the facilities. Disaster at the refinery resulted in damage was estimated with 5 million US $. Malaysia has experienced two haze subsequent disasters, which resulted from forest fire disasters. The subsequent disasters were about 5 percent of the total disasters. Malaysia in collaboration with the neighboring countries is taking the preventive measures to prevent the forest fires disasters, and the haze disasters. Conclusions The disaster types worldwide have been reviewed in brief, and the disaster types in Malaysia have been reviewed and the followings have been noted: Disasters can be classified into natural, man-made, and hybrid disasters. Natural and/or man-made disasters can trigger subsequent disasters. Malaysia experienced natural, man-made and subsequent disasters. The natural disasters were 49 percent of total disasters. Most of the natural disasters were resulted from the heavy rains. The landslides were 26 percent of the natural disasters. Malaysia has experienced 18 man-made disasters. The man-made disasters were about 46 percent of the total disasters. Malaysia has experienced ten technological disasters. The technological disasters were 56 percent of the man-made disasters. Most of the technological disasters occurred last decade. This may be due to the fast development in industrial sector in particular at the MHIs. Malaysia experienced two subsequent disasters (haze), which resulted from forest fires. Setting up of advanced warning systems, which forecast the impending natural disasters, can reduce the impacts of the natural disasters. The consequences of the natural disasters also can be reduced through an effective disaster management. Technological disasters can be prevented or reduced through good design, operation, maintenance, and inspection of MHIs. The haze problems can be reduced through the implementation of the necessary measures, which were recommended by the HAZE action plan.

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