Kuala lumpur: The government has agreed to establish a National Disaster Management Council, with all Menteri Besar, Chief Ministers, and the Premier of Sarawak serving as permanent members, said MADANI Government spokesperson Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fahmi, who is also Communications Minister, stated that the decision was made at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He mentioned that the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) will serve as the council's secretariat. The council's meetings will be held immediately after the regular meetings of state leaders.

Fahmi also mentioned that the Cabinet was informed about Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's announcement regarding the extension of the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign until the end of 2027. Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing highlighted the need to assess challenges facing sectors like aviation and hospitality to ensure they are not adversely impacted by the global energy crisis and tensions in West Asia.

Meanwhile, Fahmi conveyed the Cabinet's condolences to the family of former Transport Minister and MCA honorary life president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, who passed away last Saturday. He noted that Tun Dr Ling served as Transport Minister for 17 years, marking him as one of the longest-serving figures in that role. Fahmi added that the Cabinet reviewed several forms of assistance to be extended to the family of the late Tun Dr Ling as a tribute to his contributions.