Disaster preparedness training needs to be extended - PTA

Training and education on safety procedures to prepare for disasters, including earthquakes, should be extended to the public, particularly students.

National Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) president Assoc Prof Datuk Dr Mohamad Ali Hassan said the move was necessary in the wake of recent natural disasters.

"People will usually panic during disasters such as earthquake, tsunami, landslides and so on because of less exposure on safety procedures," he told Bernama Saturday.

The 6.0-magnitude earthquake which hit Ranau at 7.15 am Friday, with the tremors felt in several areas including Tambunan, Pedalaman, Tuaran, Kota Kinabalu and Kota Belud, has claimed 13 lives so far.

Mercy Malaysia executive director Ahmad Faezal Mohamed said they would continue to carry out the disaster risk reduction programme to raise public awareness on natural disasters.

"We conduct the school preparedness programme nationwide yearly," he said.