Kuantan: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has established its Emergency and Disaster Response Team (EDRT) to enhance preparedness in the communications, post, and courier sectors for the upcoming Northeast Monsoon 2025/2026. The initiative aims to ensure these sectors are well-equipped to handle potential disruptions during the monsoon period.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the team has been incorporated as part of the Civil Defence Force auxiliaries in Kuantan, Pahang. The launch was officiated by MCMC managing director Abdul Karim Fakir Ali and included various agencies involved in disaster management. A comprehensive disaster management framework has been developed, encompassing three major phases to address challenges posed by the Northeast Monsoon.

The framework's first phase focuses on pre-disaster readiness, involving risk assessments of communication towers, identification of risk-prone areas, and preparation of assets and power supplies. The second phase deals with response during disasters, including the activation of management plans to maintain communication coverage. The final phase involves reviewing standard operating procedures to enhance post-disaster processes.

The framework was presented to the Central Disaster Management Committee during a meeting chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister on October 13. The aim is to implement these preparations effectively, ensuring that critical communications networks remain resilient with minimal interruptions, facilitated by collaboration with related agencies and industry stakeholders.

MCMC data indicates that during the last monsoon season, 597 transmitter stations were affected, with 54.1 per cent located in the East Region. Additionally, 147 National Information Dissemination Centres in Kelantan, Terengganu, Sarawak, Sabah, and other states experienced disruptions. The Meteorological Department forecasts that the Northeast Monsoon 2025/2026 will commence in early November and last until March 2026.