Implications of communications channels in government disaster management of the extraterritoriality on national development

In Malaysia, the effectiveness of communication channels employed by local authorities during natural disasters remains inadequately understood, posing challenges to effective disaster management. This study quantitatively examines the attributes of communication channels that influence policy development, planning, and management in urban and suburban areas, with a particular focus on back-channel communication as a representative of extraterritorial policy during transitions prompted by natural disasters, within the context of the National Development Structure Plan 2020. Utilizing a structured survey design, data were collected from a representative sample (400 Respondents) of residents across various urban and suburban regions in Malaysia. The survey assessed public attitudes towards communication policy attributes related to national development strategies and disaster factors. Statistical analyses, including regression modeling, were employed to identify and quantify the relationships between communication channel attributes and public perceptions of disaster management effectiveness. Preliminary findings indicate that successful communication policies are characterized by the physical and functional qualities of communication channels, security and comfort, and alignment with public preferences and needs.