An evaluation of barriers in implementing disaster planning and the housing programme in Malaysia

Implementation of full regulatory compliance in Malaysian disaster management mechanism will probably come in the form of a directive from Prime Minister's Department of Malaysia. The success or failure of regulatory compliance in Malaysia will depend to a large extent on the readiness of actors to accept responsibility to implement at every level. This article highlights discussion concerning barriers to implementation of disaster management policy in Malaysia. Concerning the main negative attitudes as a result of a research on actors' perceptions about compliance with disaster planning policy in Malaysia, it is essential to recognise them as the barriers which would have to be systematically addressed by the Prime Minister's Department to minimise their negative effects on regulatory compliance implementation. Undoubtedly, some actors have reservations about accepting regulatory compliance. This reservation might be the key to the main issue towards implementation. They have broadly negative general attitudes towards regulatory compliance, arguing that currently too many barriers are present in department levels to make regulatory compliance implementation straightforward. Actors in Malaysia appear to see the process of regulatory compliance from the point of view of the existing public service system. They underestimate barriers in disaster planning by not taking appropriate and effective measures (preparedness) to reduce or minimise (mitigate) effects in response to disaster. Risk Management (2011) 13, 209-227. doi:10.1057/rm.2011.16