NST Leader: Disaster alert system faces litmus test, success hinges on public response

ON Nov 19, expect a special government text message to pop out of your handphone screens. The message may "warn" you of an impending "natural disaster" near your area or residence.

You might also be advised to "immediately evacuate" your homes and proceed to the nearest shelter. Don't be alarmed: the message is a test from the Cell Broadcast System (CBS), a national disaster warning system that is undergoing pilot testing.

Developed by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, the CBS transmits disaster alerts directly to handphones in affected areas.

Circumventing handphone numbers, SMS or Internet connection, the CBS will soon replace the existing SMS-based disaster warning system to provide faster and precise alerts.

As of 2025, the United Nations reported that 44 countries have adopted mobile-based public warning systems for earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, wildfires, severe storms and other emergencies. Malaysia's current system transmits targeted flood-warning SMS through the National Disaster Management Agency and telecommunications companies.

The CBS is technically sound, able to improve the speed in issuing alerts on emergencies.

The key issue is whether the government can connect hazard monitoring, accurate location targeting, telecommunications networks and clear instructions into a single and reliable national warning system.

From a technical standpoint, the CBS technology can blast an alert to all compatible handphones rather than send individual messages.

While the CBS can penetrate heavy voice and data traffic, it still depends on functioning mobile network infrastructure, though no special app is required. The challenge is rural coverage, raising public trust and awareness, and backup distribution methods in areas with poor coverage.

The CBS must also be able to send alerts in Bahasa Malaysia and English, and local dialects when necessary, while clearly distinguishing between advisories, imminent threats and evacuation orders.

The CBS should also accommodate individuals with visual, hearing or reading disabilities, which may require tailored video messages or other formats.

The Nov 19 pilot may launch in high-risk areas, such as flood-prone parts of Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Kelantan and Pahang.

Malaysians know that skies can be clear and sunny and rivers calm, but floods can strike rapidly, making the CBS crucial for delivering timely warnings. The value of the CBS lies in its targeted warnings, giving families precious minutes to seek shelter, help vulnerable residents and allow authorities to respond effectively.

The CBS must complement a culture of preparedness rather than create a false sense of security as its usefulness depends on reception, understanding and action.

Ultimately, the CBS should not be judged by daily emergencies but by whether we are ready to act when disasters strike.