Hostname: page-component-5cf477f64f-tx7qf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-03-31T18:41:56.512Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Cultural Dynamics in Disaster Management: Exploring Sociocultural Influences on Disaster Response in Malaysia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 March 2025

Sheikh Kamran Abid ,
Noralfishah Sulaiman ,
Bushra Samman ,
Ahmed M. Al-Wathinani  and
Krzysztof Goniewicz Open the ORCID record for Krzysztof Goniewicz [Opens in a new window]
Sheikh Kamran Abid*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Technology Management and Business, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Batu Pahat, Malaysia
Noralfishah Sulaiman
Affiliation:
Faculty of Technology Management and Business, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Batu Pahat, Malaysia
Bushra Samman
Affiliation:
Faculty of Technical and Vocational Education, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Batu Pahat, Malaysia
Ahmed M. Al-Wathinani
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medical Services, Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz College for Emergency Medical Services, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Krzysztof Goniewicz*
Affiliation:
Department of Security, Polish Air Force University, Deblin, Poland
*
Corresponding authors: Sheikh Kaman Abid and Krzysztof Goniewicz; Emails: [email protected]; [email protected]
Corresponding authors: Sheikh Kaman Abid and Krzysztof Goniewicz; Emails: [email protected]; [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective

Disaster management strategies often emphasize technical and structural solutions, overlooking the sociocultural factors that shape community resilience and disaster response. In Malaysia, a multiethnic and multireligious country frequently affected by floods and monsoon storms, cultural beliefs, social networks, and traditional practices play a pivotal role in shaping disaster preparedness and recovery. This study examines how religious beliefs, community cohesion, gender roles, and traditional knowledge influence disaster management in Malaysia.

Methods

A qualitative research approach was employed, utilizing semi-structured interviews with 15 stakeholders from diverse ethnic, religious, and social backgrounds. Participants, represented various religious groups and geographic areas. Their roles included local leaders, government officials, NGO workers, and community members, providing insights into how sociocultural factors influence disaster response and policy.

Results

Religious beliefs serve as both a source of resilience and a potential barrier, shaping community attitudes toward disaster preparedness. Community cohesion, particularly through gotong-royong (mutual aid), plays a crucial role in mobilizing resources and support, though it often excludes marginalized groups. Gender roles significantly influence disaster response, with women taking on caregiving responsibilities yet remaining underrepresented in decision-making processes. Traditional knowledge remains valuable, particularly in rural communities, but faces challenges as younger generations increasingly rely on modern technologies.

Conclusions

This study highlights the need for culturally sensitive, gender-inclusive, and community-driven disaster management policies in Malaysia.Integrating sociocultural dimensions into formal frameworks can foster more adaptive and inclusive strategies. Enhancing community participation and gender inclusivity will be key to improving disaster resilience in Malaysia.

Keywords

disaster planningcultural characteristicsreligion and psychologysocial supportgender identityindigenous knowledgeemergency preparednessresilience
Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 19 , 2025 , e69
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc.

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Abid, SK, Sulaiman, N, Chan, SW, et al. Toward an integrated disaster management approach: how artificial intelligence can boost disaster management. Sustainability. 2021;13(22):12560.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zulkepli, NA, Diana, N, Idris, M. Identifying the research of flooding in Kelantan, Malaysia: a review. International Journal of Mechanical Engineering. 2022;7(4):974–5823.Google Scholar
Tam, TH, Rahman, MZ, Harun, S, et al. The effects of climate change on flood hazards in Kelantan River Basin Malaysia. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. 2024;880(1):012016. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/880/1/012016CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Alias, NE, Salim, NA, Taib, SM, et al. Community responses on effective flood dissemination warnings—a case study of the December 2014 Kelantan Flood, Malaysia. J Flood Risk Manag. 2019;13(S1). https://doi.org/10.1111/jfr3.12552Google Scholar
Nguyen-Trung, K, Forbes-Mewett, H, Arunachalam, D. Social support from bonding and bridging relationships in disaster recovery: findings from a slow-onset disaster. Int J Disaster Risk Reduct. 2020;46:101501. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2020.101501CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Reddy, G, Selvanathan, HP. Multiracial in Malaysia: categories, classification, and campur in contemporary everyday life. The Palgrave International Handbook of Mixed Racial and Ethnic Classification. 2020:649–668. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22874-3_34CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Awang, MM, Ahmad, AR, Rahman, AAA. Social integration practices among multi-ethnic youths. Kasetsart J Soc Sci. 2019;40(2):454–458.Google Scholar
Mohd Khalli, MN, Mohd Sharif, MF. Masjid-based disaster management: how masjids in Malaysia support the needy. Pertanika J Soc Sci & Hum. 2024;32(S4):29–46. doi:10.47836/pjssh.32.s4.02Google Scholar
Bahari, R, Alwi, MNM, Jahan, N, et al. How do people cope with post traumatic distress after an accident? The role of psychological, social and spiritual coping in Malaysian Muslim patients. In: Developments in Qualitative Psychotherapy Research. Routledge; 2018:181–198.Google Scholar
Drury, J, Carter, H, Cocking, C, et al. Facilitating collective psychosocial resilience in the public in emergencies: twelve recommendations based on the Social Identity Approach. Front Public Health. 2019;7:141. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2019.00141CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Saja, AMA, Goonetilleke, A, Teo, M, et al. A critical review of social resilience assessment frameworks in disaster management. Int J Disaster Risk Reduct. 2019;35:101096. doi:10.1016/j.ijdrr.2019.101096CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chua, RY, Kadirvelu, A, Yasin, S, et al. The cultural, family and community factors for resilience in Southeast Asian indigenous communities: a systematic review. J Community Psychol. 2019;47(7):1750–1771. doi:10.1002/jcop.22224CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Buslima, FS, Omar, RC, Jamaluddin, TA, et al. Flood and flash flood geo-hazards in Malaysia. Int J Eng Technol. 2018;7(4.35):760–764. doi:10.14419/ijet.v7i4.35.23103CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Samsuri, N, Abu-Bakar, R, Unjah, T. Flash flood impact in Kuala Lumpur – approach review and way forward. Int J Malay World Civ. 2018;6:69–76.Google Scholar
Arcaya, M, Raker, EJ, Waters, MC. The social consequences of disasters: individual and community change. Annu Rev Sociol. 2020;46(1):671–691. doi:10.1146/annurev-soc-121919-054827CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Shukla, C, MacKenzie, CA. Analyzing the financial risk of billion-dollar disasters in the United States: simulating the frequency and economic costs of U.S. natural disasters. Published online February 25, 2022. doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-1929931/v1Google Scholar
Imperiale, AJ, Vanclay, F. Conceptualizing community resilience and the social dimensions of risk to overcome barriers to disaster risk reduction and sustainable development. Sustainable Dev. 2021;29(5):891–905. doi:10.1002/sd.2182CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rouhanizadeh, B, Kermanshachi, S, Nipa, TJ, et al. Exploratory analysis of barriers to effective post-disaster recovery. Int J Disaster Risk Reduct. 2020;50:101735. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2020.101735CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kamarudin, KH, Rashid, MF, Omar Chong, N, et al. Local community knowledge for flood resilience: a case study from East Coast Malaysia. International Journal of Built Environment and Sustainability. 2022;9(2):21–34. https://doi.org/10.11113/ijbes.v9.n2.922CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Saifullah, K, Masud, MM, Kari, FB, et al. Vulnerability context and well-being factors of indigenous community development: a study of peninsular Malaysia. AlterNative (Nga Pae Maramatanga (Organ)). 2021;17(1):94–105. https://doi.org/10.1177/1177180121995166Google Scholar
Sadeka, S, Mohamad, MS, MdS, Sarkar. Disaster experiences and preparedness of the orang asli families in Tasik Chini of Malaysia: a conceptual framework towards building disaster resilient community. Prog Disaster Sci. 2020;6:100070. doi:10.1016/j.pdisas.2020.100070CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sadeka, S, Mohamad, MS, Sarkar, MS, et al. Disaster experiences and vulnerability of the orang asli families. In: Vulnerability, Social Capital and Disaster Preparedness. Springer; 2023:115–125. doi:10.1007/978-981-99-3874-2_5CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sadeka, S, Mohamad, MS, Sarkar, MS, et al. Disaster responses: the role of local organization for the orang asli. In: Vulnerability, Social Capital and Disaster Preparedness. Springer; 2023:161–187. doi:10.1007/978-981-99-3874-2_9Google Scholar
Abid, SK, Sulaiman, N, Wei, CS, et al. Flood vulnerability and resilience: exploring the factors that influence flooding in Sarawak. In: IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. Vol 802 . IOP Publishing; 2021:012059.Google Scholar
Alhadi, Z, Sasmita, S, Yulfa, A, et al. The coping strategies patterns based on local wisdom and resilience capital in facing natural disaster risk in Nagari Mandeh, Indonesia. Int J Sustain Dev Plann. 2023;18(1):315–325. doi:10.18280/ijsdp.180133CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nopriyasman, N, Asnan, G, Fauzi, A, et al. Reading indigenous signs: the wisdom of Nagari Communities toward natural disaster in Pasaman Barat. Int J Disaster Risk Reduct. 2024;107:104497. doi:10.1016/j.ijdrr.2024.104497CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sarkar, M, Modak, BK. Towards a sustainable future: Integrating indigenous knowledge to address the challenges of climate change in West Bengal, India. In: Climate Change Management. Springer; 2024:457–485. doi:10.1007/978-3-031-58261-5_20Google Scholar
Vijitharan, S. A review on traditional knowledge: a sustainable solution for the climate crisis. In: Climate Change Management. Springer; 2024:219–245. doi:10.1007/978-3-031-58261-5_10Google Scholar
Halim, BM, Shamsuddin, NS, Abdullah, R, et al. Factors contributing to participation in community-led DRR programmes in Malaysia. Disaster Adv. 2024;17(8):41–48. doi:10.25303/178da041048CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Abid, SK, Chan, SW, Sulaiman, N, et al. Theoretical framework development for flood vulnerable communities using geographic information system for disaster risk reduction: mediating role of flood risk perception. In: Proceedings of the 2024 13th International Conference on Informatics, Environment, Energy and Applications. 2024:23–28CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cahyono, SA, Wuryanta, A, Lastiantoro, C. The local knowledge to mitigate the landslide disaster in Beruk Village, Jatiyoso Sub-district, Karanganyar Regency. IOP Conf Ser Earth Environ Sci. 2021;874(1):012015. doi:10.1088/1755-1315/874/1/012015CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rotua Nainggolan, FM, Subroto, TY, Marsoyo, A. The value of Gotong-Royong in the mountainous settlement of Kepuharjo Village at Pagerjurang Permanent Shelter in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Int J Built Environ Sustain. 2021;8(3):93–106. doi:10.11113/ijbes.v8.n3.822CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Yuhertiana, I, Zakaria, M, Suhartini, D, et al. Cooperative resilience during the pandemic: Indonesia and Malaysia evidence. Sustainability. 2022;14(10):5839. doi:10.3390/su14105839CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Abd Samat, AH, Abdul Rashid, A, Mohd Yunus, NA, et al. A Malaysian medical non-governmental organization’s (NGO) experience in the emergency response for COVID-19, using the whole-of-society collaborative concept. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2021;16(6):2665–2668. doi:10.1017/dmp.2021.106Google Scholar
Tariq, H, Pathirage, C, Fernando, T. Measuring community disaster resilience at local levels: an adaptable resilience framework. Int J Disaster Risk Reduct. 2021;62:102358. doi:10.1016/j.ijdrr.2021.102358CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chanza, N, Siyongwana, PQ, Williams-Bruinders, L, et al. Closing the gaps in disaster management and response: drawing on local experiences with Cyclone Idai in Chimanimani, Zimbabwe. Int J Disaster Risk Sci. 2020;11(5):655–666. doi:10.1007/s13753-020-00290-xCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Salinger, AP, D’Eramo, T, Turner, H, et al. “When it floods, we work on our own”: exploring factors influencing collective efficacy appraisals for community-level flood measures among urban informal settlements in Suva, Fiji. J Community Appl Soc Psychol. 2024;34(4). doi:10.1002/casp.2808Google Scholar
Ntontis, E, Drury, J, Amlôt, R, et al. Collective resilience in the disaster recovery period: emergent social identity and observed social support are associated with collective efficacy, well-being, and the provision of social support. Br J Soc Psychol. 2020;60(3):1075–1095. doi:10.1111/bjso.12434Google ScholarPubMed
Elcheroth, G, Drury, J. Collective resilience in times of crisis: lessons from the literature for socially effective responses to the pandemic. Br J Soc Psychol. 2020;59(3):703–713. doi:10.1111/bjso.12403Google ScholarPubMed
Azhar, MA, Md Akhir, N, Mohamad, MS. Community empowerment in disaster management: a systematic review. Int J Acad Res Bus Soc Sci. 2022;12(4). doi:10.6007/ijarbss/v12-i4/13221Google Scholar
Remly, MR, Sabaruddin, SNA, Kamaruddin, NK, et al. Peranan Pengurusan Masjid Dan Ahli Jemaah Dalam Mengimarahkan Institusi Masjid Pasca Wabak Covid-19: Satu Sorotan. Al-Turath J Al-Quran Al-Sunnah. 2022;7(1):6.Google Scholar
Seman, WM, Abdul Rahim, A, Tukiman, I. Participatory design for Accessible Evacuation Centre for flood victims in Kelantan. Int J Environ Archit Soc. 2021;1(01):46–53. doi:10.26418/ijeas.2021.1.01.46-53Google Scholar
Tobi, SU, Razak, KA, Siow, YM, et al. Empowering women for disaster risk reduction: a case study of geologically based disaster at Yan, Kedah, Malaysia. IOP Conf Ser Earth Environ Sci. 2023;1144(1):012013. doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1144/1/012013CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Singh, P, Tabe, T, Martin, T. The role of women in community resilience to climate change: a case study of an indigenous Fijian community. Women’s Stud Int Forum. 2022;90:102550. doi:10.1016/j.wsif.2021.102550Google Scholar
McLaren, HJ, Wong, KR, Nguyen, KN, et al. Covid-19 and women’s triple burden: vignettes from Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Australia. Soc Sci. 2020;9(5):87. doi:10.3390/socsci9050087CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tearne, JE, Guragain, B, Ghimire, L, et al. The health and security of women and girls following disaster: a qualitative investigation in post-earthquake Nepal. Int J Disaster Risk Reduct. 2021;66:102622. doi:10.1016/j.ijdrr.2021.102622CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Luna, KC, Hilhorst, D. Gendered experience of disaster: women’s account of evacuation, relief and recovery in Nepal. Int J Disaster Risk Reduct. 2022;72:102840. doi:10.1016/j.ijdrr.2022.102840Google Scholar
Castañeda, JV, Bronfman, NC, Cisternas, PC, et al. Understanding the culture of natural disaster preparedness: exploring the effect of experience and sociodemographic predictors. Nat Hazards. 2020;103(2):1881–1904. doi:10.1007/s11069-020-04060-2Google Scholar
Rushton, A, Phibbs, S, Kenney, C, et al. The gendered body politic in disaster policy and practice. Int J Disaster Risk Reduct. 2020;47:101648. doi:10.1016/j.ijdrr.2020.101648CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lee, CC, Huang, KC, Kuo, SY, et al. Gender matters: the role of women in community-based disaster risk management in Taiwan. Int J Disaster Risk Reduct. 2022;77:103046. doi:10.1016/j.ijdrr.2022.103046Google Scholar
Fatema, SR, East, L, Islam, MS, et al. Health impact and risk factors affecting south and Southeast Asian women following natural disasters: a systematic review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(21):11068. doi:10.3390/ijerph182111068CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Loganathan, MM. Managing through emergencies and catastrophes with NADMA. 2021. myimpact.com.my.Google Scholar
Omar Chong, N, Kamarudin, KH. Disaster risk management in Malaysia: issues and challenges from the perspective of agencies. Planning Malaysia. 2018;16. doi:10.21837/pm.v16i5.415CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chow, SK, Francis, B, Ng, YH, et al. Religious coping, depression and anxiety among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a Malaysian perspective. Healthcare. 2021;9(1):79. doi:10.3390/healthcare9010079CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Iswanto, AH, Gustina Zainal, A, Murodov, A, et al. Studying the role of Islamic religious beliefs on depression during covid-19 in Malaysia. HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies. 2022;78(4). doi:10.4102/hts.v78i4.7567CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Marome, W, Shaw, R. Covid-19 response in Thailand and its implications on future preparedness. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(3):1089. doi:10.3390/ijerph18031089Google ScholarPubMed
Abenir, MA, Manzanero, LI, Bollettino, V. Community-based leadership in disaster resilience: the case of small island community in Hagonoy, Bulacan, Philippines. Int J Disaster Risk Reduct. 2022;71:102797. doi:10.1016/j.ijdrr.2022.102797CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ryan, B, Johnston, KA, Taylor, M, et al. Community engagement for disaster preparedness: a systematic literature review. Int J Disaster Risk Reduct. 2020;49:101655. doi:10.1016/j.ijdrr.2020.101655Google Scholar
Oktari, RS, Munadi, K, Idroes, R, et al. Knowledge management practices in disaster management: systematic review. Int J Disaster Risk Reduct. 2020;51:101881. doi:10.1016/j.ijdrr.2020.101881Google Scholar
Ting, RS-K, Aw Yong, YY, Tan, MM, et al. Cultural responses to covid-19 pandemic: religions, illness perception, and perceived stress. Front Psychol. 2021;12. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.634863Google ScholarPubMed
Sheikhi, RA, Seyedin, H, Qanizadeh, G, et al. Role of religious institutions in disaster risk management: a systematic review. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2020;15(2):239–254. doi:10.1017/dmp.2019.145Google ScholarPubMed
Sufri, S, Dwirahmadi, F, Phung, D, et al. Enhancing community engagement in disaster early warning system in Aceh, Indonesia: opportunities and challenges. Nat Hazards. 2020;103(3):2691–2709. doi:10.1007/s11069-020-04098-2CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chan, NW, Roy, R, Lai, CH, et al. Social capital as a vital resource in flood disaster recovery in Malaysia. Int J Water Resour Dev. 2018;35(4):619–637. doi:10.1080/07900627.2018.1467312Google Scholar
Noor Diyana, FA, Fakhru’l-Razi, A, Aini, MS, et al. Community preparedness to flood disaster in Johor, Malaysia. IOP Conf Ser: Earth Environ Sci. 2020;479(1):012015. doi:10.1088/1755-1315/479/1/012015CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lam, FS, Chow, BY. Disaster response network analysis in rural Temerloh, Pahang communities during the Malaysia 2020-2021 flood. E3S Web Conf. 2022;347:05003. doi:10.1051/e3sconf/202234705003CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Erman, A, De Vries Robbe, SA, Thies, SF, et al. Gender dimensions of disaster risk and resilience: existing evidence. World Bank, Washington, DC. 2021. https://hdl.handle.net/10986/35202CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zaidi, RZ, Fordham, M. The missing half of the Sendai framework: gender and women in the implementation of global disaster risk reduction policy. Prog Disaster Sci. 2021;10:100170. doi:10.1016/j.pdisas.2021.100170CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hou, C, Wu, H. Rescuer, decision maker, and breadwinner: women’s predominant leadership across the post-Wenchuan earthquake efforts in rural areas, Sichuan, China. Safety Sci. 2020;125:104623. doi:10.1016/j.ssci.2020.104623Google Scholar
Soares, SE, Sidun, NM. Women leaders during a global crisis. Int Perspect Psychol. 2021;10(3):130–137. doi:10.1027/2157-3891/a000020Google Scholar
Along, NZ, Ahmed, I, MacKee, J. Flood knowledge management by multiple stakeholders: an example from Malaysia. Int J Disaster Resil Built Environ. 2022;15(1):141–157. doi:10.1108/ijdrbe-08-2021-0102Google Scholar
Brink, E, Falla, AM, Boyd, E. Weapons of the vulnerable? A review of popular resistance to climate adaptation. Glob Environ Change. 2023;80:102656. doi:10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2023.102656CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goniewicz, K, Burkle, FM, Khorram-Manesh, A. Transforming global public health: climate collaboration, political challenges, and systemic change. J Infect Public Health. 2024;Dec 5:102615. doi:10.1016/j.jiph.2024.102615CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goniewicz, K, Goniewicz, M, Burkle, FM, et al. Cohort research analysis of disaster experience, preparedness, and competency-based training among nurses. PLoS One. 2021;16(1):e0244488. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0244488Google ScholarPubMed
Goniewicz, K, Goniewicz, M, Włoszczak-Szubzda, A, et al. The importance of pre-training gap analyses and the identification of competencies and skill requirements of medical personnel for mass casualty incidents and disaster training. BMC Public Health. 2021;21:1–1. doi:10.1186/s12889-021-10165-5Google ScholarPubMed
Tong, A, Sainsbury, P, Craig, J. Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ): a 32-item checklist for interviews and focus groups. Int J Qual Health Care. 2007;19(6):349–357.Google ScholarPubMed
Supplementary material: File

Abid et al. supplementary material

Abid et al. supplementary material
Download Abid et al. supplementary material(File)
File 19.1 KB