Budget 2027: Nadma to use RM260m allocation for disaster relief centres, equipment, says Zahid

Nadma will prioritise the RM260 million allocated under Budget 2027 for two main needs. It will establish more Permanent Disaster Relief Centres, or PPKBs, and buy assets and equipment for disaster preparedness. The aim is to improve the country’s ability to respond when disasters occur.

The funding will support frontline agencies that handle emergencies. Equipment mentioned includes boats and water pumps. More PPKBs will also provide dedicated places for people to be moved during serious disasters, especially in flood-prone areas where many victims may need shelter.

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Nadma wants two PPKBs in each state, with additional centres added according to requirements. The money therefore combines long-term facilities with practical tools. Together, these investments are intended to strengthen flood response and help agencies operate more effectively.

A Permanent Disaster Relief Centre, or PPKB, is a purpose-built facility intended to support disaster relief on an ongoing basis. It can be prepared before emergencies and located near areas that regularly face danger. This gives authorities a more reliable base for evacuating and assisting victims.

A Temporary Evacuation Centre serves a different role. It is used during a disaster to shelter people who have left their homes. The article says Bantuan Wang Ihsan is now distributed while victims are at these temporary centres, before they return home. PPKBs are permanent infrastructure; temporary centres are emergency accommodation.

The distinction matters because both facilities support different stages of response. PPKBs strengthen readiness before and during disasters. Temporary centres provide immediate shelter and access to assistance. The planned expansion aims to improve both preparation and relief delivery.

The government’s broad target is to establish two Permanent Disaster Relief Centres in every state. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said more could be added according to requirements, especially where disaster risks and evacuation needs are greater. The target is meant to create stronger local capacity for disaster relief.

The article gives a current pipeline of 15 PPKBs involving nine states. One centre in Johor and one in Pahang have been fully completed. Nine more are under construction. The remaining four are at procurement and planning stages, so they are being developed but are not yet operational.

This means two centres are already complete, while 13 are still progressing through construction, procurement, or planning. The 15-centre programme is expected to begin operations in stages from this year. Future Budget 2027 funding may support additional centres based on need.

Flood hotspots are being prioritised because they face repeated flooding and may require the evacuation of large numbers of people. These areas have a clear and recurring need for organised disaster facilities. Focusing investment there can direct limited resources toward places where emergencies may create the greatest immediate demands.

A PPKB in or near a hotspot can support evacuation and relief operations when floods occur. It gives authorities a permanent centre connected to the area’s preparedness plans. The article also says Nadma wants to assist frontline agencies, so the centres can strengthen the agencies’ ability to respond.

This priority reflects a needs-based approach rather than simply spreading facilities evenly. Ahmad Zahid said more centres would be added according to requirements. As funding becomes available, locations with frequent floods and large potential evacuations are likely to remain central to planning.

The planned equipment includes boats and water pumps. These assets are intended for relevant frontline agencies, which need practical tools to respond when floods disrupt roads, homes, and normal services. The procurement is part of the RM260 million Budget 2027 allocation for disaster preparedness.

Boats can help agencies move through flooded areas, reach stranded people, support evacuations, and transport supplies or responders. Water pumps can help remove or control accumulated water around affected locations. Their usefulness is greatest when floodwater makes ordinary access difficult. These functions explain why both types of equipment can improve operational capability.

The article does not provide quantities or specify which agencies will receive each item. It does state that Nadma will support frontline agencies in strengthening operations, particularly for floods. Better-equipped agencies should be more prepared to act when communities need rescue, evacuation, and relief.

The increase raises home-repair assistance from RM5,000 to RM10,000 per family. It is designed for families whose homes are affected by disasters. By providing a larger payment, the government aims to help victims repair their houses and rebuild their lives after the immediate emergency.

For an eligible family, the stated maximum support is now RM10,000 instead of RM5,000. That is an additional RM5,000 in assistance. The extra funding could help cover more repair needs, although the article does not specify which repairs qualify or how payments are assessed.

The change forms part of wider improvements to disaster aid. Bantuan Wang Ihsan is also being distributed while victims are at Temporary Evacuation Centres, before they return home. Earlier assistance and higher repair support can help families move from evacuation toward recovery more quickly.

Disaster preparedness means getting people, facilities, equipment, and assistance ready before or during a disaster. It matters because floods can force many people from their homes and place heavy demands on frontline agencies. Preparation helps those agencies act in an organised way when time and access are limited.

PPKBs provide permanent disaster-relief facilities, while Temporary Evacuation Centres shelter victims during emergencies. Boats can help agencies reach flooded areas, and water pumps can support flood-response work. Bantuan Wang Ihsan, distributed while victims are at temporary centres, gives families financial help before they return home.

These measures address different types of harm. Centres support shelter and coordination. Equipment strengthens operations. Early money helps families manage urgent needs, while the increased home-repair support aids recovery. The article presents them together as improvements to Malaysia’s disaster-management system, especially for floods.