MALAYSIA is seeking China’s advanced satellite-based weather forecasting technology to improve early warnings and prepare for floods during the northeast monsoon, while strengthening bilateral cooperation against cross-border crime, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.
He said China had offered access to its advanced forecasting systems, while Malaysia had proposed a bilateral disaster management agreement that would include mutual legal assistance during national emergencies.
“We hope to obtain China’s cooperation in accessing more advanced global weather forecasting equipment. This is particularly important as we prepare for the northeast monsoon,” he told Malaysian media representatives in Beijing on Tuesday.
Zahid said the proposed cooperation went beyond the provision of equipment, involving the transfer of technology, systems and satellite-based forecasting capabilities to improve accuracy.
Although the new capabilities might not be available in time for the current northeast monsoon season, he said the government would work to facilitate their implementation in the coming years.
He said improved forecasts would allow authorities to prepare earlier for floods, coordinate evacuations and reduce damage and casualties.
Flood losses fell to RM600 million last year from RM960 million in 2024, which he attributed to improved preparedness.
The government had also conducted a preparedness month programme and was working with the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) to identify disaster-prone areas, particularly those vulnerable to heavy rain and strong winds exceeding initial forecasts.
Early warnings would enable targeted evacuations in high-risk areas, while temporary relief centres had been upgraded to accommodate displaced residents.
“We cannot prevent natural disasters from happening, but we can be prepared to manage them,” he said.
Separately, Zahid said Malaysia and China were strengthening intelligence sharing and law enforcement cooperation to combat cross-border crime, particularly drug smuggling and cyber scams.
He said both countries had established a joint security committee to coordinate investigations and intensify enforcement efforts.
The cooperation included developing new methods to obtain early intelligence on drug-smuggling operations and facilities used to process illicit substances.
He said collaboration between the Royal Malaysia Police and China’s National Narcotics Control Commission was already strong, with Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail holding discussions with his Chinese counterpart to further strengthen ties.
Zahid, who chairs the government’s Drug Prevention Committee, said combating drug trafficking required coordinated cross-border action.
On cybercrime, he said Malaysia wanted closer cooperation with China to strengthen investigations across jurisdictions and recover assets stolen through illegal activities.
He noted that cyber scams affected victims in both countries and presented challenges that could not be addressed effectively through unilateral action.
Malaysia joined a joint programme under the International Anti-Telecommunication and Cyber Scam Alliance on Sept 10, with cross-border investigations and asset recovery identified as priorities.
Zahid also said he had tabled the Cyber Crime Bill in the Dewan Rakyat during the July parliamentary sitting as part of efforts to strengthen the legal framework for tackling cybercrime. - October 14, 2026