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JDR Vol.21 No.2 pp. 431-442
(2026)
doi: 10.20965/jdr.2026.p0431

Paper:

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Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Resilience in Malaysia: A Decade of Progress and Accelerated Action

Khamarrul Azahari Razak*1,† ORCID Icon, Siow Yuet Mei*1, Liyana Hayatun Syamila Ramlee*1 ORCID Icon, Haslinda Mohamad Hamran*1,*2 ORCID Icon, Muhammad Fauzie Ismail*1,*3 ORCID Icon, Ezrein Faizal Ahmad*1,*4, Zamri Ramli*5, Nursalbiah Hamidun*6, Sabri Abdul Mulok*1, Rabieahtul Abu Bakar*7 ORCID Icon, Norazam Ab Samah*1,*8, Fitri Yakub*1 ORCID Icon, Mohdoor Anuar Mohd Zain*1,*9, Khairul Afnan Khalid*1, and Zakaria Mohamad*10

*1Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Center (DPPC), Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)
Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra, Kuala Lumpur 54100, Malaysia

†Corresponding author

*2Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation
Cyberjaya, Malaysia

*3National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA)
Putrajaya, Malaysia

*4Department of Town and Country Planning (PLANMalaysia), Ministry of Housing and Local Government
Putrajaya, Malaysia

*5Department of Mineral and Geoscience Malaysia (JMG)
Putrajaya, Malaysia

*6Slope Engineering Branch (CKC), Public Works Department (JKR)
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

*7Enforcement, Leadership and Management University (ELMU)
Nilai, Negeri, Malaysia

*8Malaysian Medical Relief Society (MERCY) Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

*9NATECH Management PLT
Iskandar Puteri, Malaysia

*10National Association for Geo Disaster and Community Resilience (Geo-Resilience Malaysia), DRR-IEI Lab, Bangunan National Energy Centre (NEC), Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN)
Selangor, Malaysia

Received:
December 25, 2025
Accepted:
March 3, 2026
Published:
April 1, 2026
Creative Commons License
Keywords:
local disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies, transdisciplinary approach, Malaysia
Abstract

This study provides retrospective views, stocktaking, and commitments to accelerate the local implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) 2015–2030 in Malaysia. Employing a transdisciplinary approach, this study integrates systematic reviews, document analysis, stakeholder needs assessment, focus group discussions, field observations, and expert consultations. The findings are structured according to the SFDRR’s priorities, revealing significant advancements. However, persistent systemic challenges are evident, including fragmented data governance, limited risk communication strategies, poor investments by private sector, chronic underinsurance, and gaps in inclusive preparedness for vulnerable groups. This study underscores the coexistence of structured progress and deep-seated implementation gaps. Thus, intensified efforts are required to meet the 2030 global target by strengthening cross-sectoral coordination, co-implementing risk-based planning, enhancing financial risk protection, institutionalizing “build back better” for resilient recovery, and ensuring that resilience-building is both locally grounded and equitably distributed.

People-centred EWS in Jerai Geopark

People-centred EWS in Jerai Geopark

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Cite this article as:
K. Razak, S. Mei, L. Ramlee, H. Hamran, M. Ismail, E. Ahmad, Z. Ramli, N. Hamidun, S. Mulok, R. Bakar, N. Samah, F. Yakub, M. Zain, K. Khalid, and Z. Mohamad, “Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Resilience in Malaysia: A Decade of Progress and Accelerated Action,” J. Disaster Res., Vol.21 No.2, pp. 431-442, 2026.
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Last updated on Apr. 22, 2026