KUALA LUMPUR: A Geology and Geoscience Investigation bill is currently in the works and scheduled to be tabled next year, the Dewan Rakyat was told.
“The Minerals and Geoscience Department is always committed to evaluating the effectiveness of existing legislations to ensure they are relevant in tackling the effects of climate change.
“The bill is currently being drafted and expected to be tabled next year,” Deputy Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii told the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (Feb 26).
He was responding to a supplementary question by Datuk Azman Nasrudin (PN-Padang Serai), who asked whether the government intends to review existing laws regarding geological disasters in line with current challenges, including climate change.
The bill aims to replace the Geological Survey Act 1974 to fulfil current requirements more efficiently.
It aims to do so through the establishment of a strategic management system for the geology and geoscience fields.
On another matter, Huang said the setting up of the National Geology Disaster Centre has been approved by the Cabinet.
“Consultations are currently being held with the Public Service Department,” he said.
He explained that the centre’s establishment aims to improve the efficiency of emergency response systems.
When tabling the 12th Malaysia Plan mid-term review in Parliament in 2023, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim mooted the setting up of a National Geology Disaster Centre.
The Prime Minister said the centre was aimed at improving disaster response in a bid to ensure public safety.