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Institutional Arrangements for Flood Hazards in Malaysia: An Evaluation Using the Criteria Approach
Author(s) -
Chan Ngai Weng
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
disasters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.744
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1467-7717
pISSN - 0361-3666
DOI - 10.1111/1467-7717.00057
Subject(s) - flood myth , accountability , legislature , business , flood risk management , environmental planning , equity (law) , natural hazard , hazard , environmental resource management , risk analysis (engineering) , political science , geography , economics , chemistry , archaeology , organic chemistry , meteorology , law
Institutional aspects of flood hazards significantly affect their outcomes in Malaysia. Institutional arrangements to deal with floods include: legislative activity, organisational structures, attitudes and sub‐culture, and policies and instruments. When assessed in terms of four specific criteria, institutional aspects of flood hazards are found to be largely inadequate. Disaster reduction programmes are over‐dependent on a reactive approach based largely on technology and not even aimed at floods specifically. Structual flood reduction measures are the predominant management tool and, although the importance of non‐structural measures is recognised, thus far they have been under‐employed. Current laws and regulations with regard to flood management are also insufficient and both the financial and human resources of flood hazard organisations are generally found to be wanting. Finally, economic efficiency, equity and public accountability issues are not adequately addressed by institutional arrangements for flood hazards.