By : Ahmad Fakhrurrazi Mokhtar, INOS

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) in collaboration with PLANMalaysia’s Disaster Risk Management Task Force has recently organized a highly impactful and meaningful programme. 

Technical experts, academia, and local communities gathered at this programme, the Seminar and Townhall on Coastal Geo-Hazards: Adaptation and Mitigation of Coastal Erosion, hosted at UMT’s Auditorium Mahyuddin.

The seminar showcased UMT’s leadership as a national hub for coastal research, driving evidence-based solutions to tackle one of Malaysia’s most pressing environmental challenges.

UMT Vice-Chancellor Professor Ir. Ts. Dr. Mohd Zamri officiated the event that marked another significant milestone in UMT’s ongoing commitment to advancing coastal science and sustainable development. 

The keynote address, titled “Adaptation and Mitigation of Coastal Erosion in the Context of Spatial Planning”, was delivered by Dato’ TPr Dr. Alias Rameli, Director-General of Town and Country Planning, who is also a Visiting Principal Research Fellow at UMT’s Institute of Oceanography and Environment (INOS), the coordinator of the programme. He highlighted the urgent need for collaborative, science-based approaches to tackle the increasing threats posed by coastal erosion across Malaysia’s vulnerable shorelines.

A forum was held, titled “Saving Our Beaches for Community Sustainability,” chaired by Associate Professor Dr. Effi Helmy bin Ariffin, Deputy Director of INOS. Panelists included Professor Ts. Dr. Mohd Fadzil Mohd Akhir, UMT Pro-Vice Chancellor (Strategy, Performance, and Corporate); Ms. Sanisah Shafie, Director of Regional Planning, PLANMalaysia; Mr. Mohd Faizal Ab Hamid, Senior Assistant Director, NADMA; Mr. Ahmad Ikhwan Abdul Wahid, Senior Assistant Director, JPS Malaysia; Ir. Ts. Mazman Mohamad, Senior Civil Engineer (Roads), JKR Terengganu; and TPjB Nordin Pauzi, Director of Fire and Rescue Operations, JBPM. The session highlighted the critical need for integrated solutions that combine scientific research, engineering innovations, and disaster risk preparedness to protect coastal ecosystems and safeguard the livelihoods of coastal communities.

Also taking place was an interactive Townhall on Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) for Coastal Erosion Risk Reduction, led by TPr Dr. Haji Dzul Khaimi Khailani, Head of the Disaster Risk Management (Spatial Planning) Task Force, PLANMalaysia. A presentation on the Special Action Plan (PTK) for Coastal Erosion Risk Reduction was delivered by Ms. Norhasnita Hj. Abd Samad, Secretary of the Disaster Risk Management Task Force (Spatial Planning), PLANMalaysia, outlining actionable strategies to enhance resilience and strengthen local adaptive capacities.

What made this programme unique was it bridged the gap between scientific expertise, policy development, engineering practices, and grassroots participation. Unlike typical academic seminars, this event fostered real-time engagement between decision-makers, technical agencies, and affected communities, ensuring that the voices of local stakeholders were integrated into future planning. 

The event concluded with a shared commitment to fostering stronger collaborations between universities, government agencies, and local communities, setting the stage for a more inclusive and adaptive coastal risk management framework.