Malaysia Country Profile

The Lost Food Project (Persatuan Projek Bantuan Lebihan Makanan)

Population: 33.5 million (2022)

Major Threats: Floods, Landslides, Haze (local and transboundary), Forest Fires, Earthquakes

Populations Affected: Urban and Rural Poor Communities, Farmers, Coastal Communities

Locations Affected: Nearly the Entire Length and Breadth of the Malaysia Peninsula

Industries Affected: Public Assets and Infrastructure, Manufacturing, Tourism, Agriculture

Compounding Issues: Urbanization and Population Density, Deforestation and Land Use Changes, Climate Change, Poor Waste Management, Socioeconomic Disparities, Health and Epidemics, Infrastructure Vulnerability, Limited Awareness and Preparedness

World Risk Index Ranking: 35

Global Climate Risk Index: 99 (2019)

Malaysia’s location outside the “Pacific Rim of Fire” means it faces lower risks of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and typhoons. Nevertheless, it remains vulnerable to other disasters like floods, landslides, man-made calamities, and haze. Extreme weather events, including thunderstorms, floods, and earthquakes, have caused significant damage recently. These disasters are linked to factors such as exposure to the typhoon belt, rising global temperatures, deforestation, and rapid urbanization. Floods are the most significant threat, leading to casualties, property damage, and crop destruction. Malaysia has experienced numerous natural disasters in the past two decades.

Malaysia had the highest percentage of its population exposed to floods among ASEAN Member States between 2012 and 2019. The INFORM 2019 report rates Malaysia’s Natural Hazard and Exposure risk at 3.4/10.

The costliest disaster recorded in Malaysia was the December 2021 floods, which led to numerous fatalities, the evacuation of thousands, and significant financial losses. Heavy rainfall submerged areas, especially on the west coast, creating waterways out of roads. Overall, Malaysia faces a range of natural and man-made hazards, and while efforts are made to mitigate risks and adapt to climate change, vigilance and preparedness remain crucial in managing the impact of disasters.

Disasters in Malaysia pose significant threats to the economy, causing extensive damage to infrastructure, agriculture, industry, trade, and human lives. They disrupt society and government functioning, eroding confidence and resilience in people and businesses. The economic impacts of disasters vary based on their type, severity, frequency, and location.

The disasters affecting Malaysia include devastating floods during the summer monsoon season, storms with strong winds and heavy rain during the typhoon season, and epidemics like the COVID-19 pandemic that led to economic challenges and lockdowns. The Department of Statistics reported that the flooding in several Malaysian states in late December 2021 and early January 2022 caused losses of RM6.1 billion (US$1.46 billion), equivalent to 0.4% of the country’s nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The most affected industry was public assets and infrastructure, with RM2 billion in losses, followed by houses (RM1.6 billion), vehicles (RM1.0 billion), manufacturing industry (RM0.9 billion), business premises (RM500 million), and the agricultural industry (RM90.6 million).

As of March 2023, the risk index for natural disasters in Malaysia indicates that the highest risk is from tsunamis (7.1 out of 10), followed by flooding (6.6 out of 10), earthquakes (5.8 out of 10), landslides (5.7 out of 10), and drought (4.8 out of 10). These natural disasters can significantly impact various economic sectors, including tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, trade, and services.

Malaysia, as the fourth largest greenhouse gas emitter in ASEAN and accounting for 0.52% of global carbon emissions, is committed to emission reduction. There are plans in place to cut an additional 32 million tonnes by 2020 and aim for a 45% reduction by 2030. Climate change has diverse impacts on Malaysia, affecting its environment, economy, and society. Rising temperatures lead to heatwaves and agricultural challenges, while extreme weather events cause damage to infrastructure and crops. Rising sea levels threaten coastal areas like Kuala Lumpur with increased flooding and erosion. Changes in precipitation patterns impact agriculture, biodiversity, and water resources, leading to water shortages and health risks. Climate change also poses risks to infrastructure and may affect Malaysia’s tourism industry. Additionally, it could exacerbate poverty and inequality, particularly affecting low-income earners dependent on climate-sensitive activities and living in vulnerable areas.