ON Nov 19, expect a special government text message to pop out of your handphone screens. The message may "warn" you of an impending "natural disaster" near your area or residence.
You might also be advised to "immediately evacuate" your homes and proceed to the nearest shelter. Don't be alarmed: the message is a test from the Cell Broadcast System (CBS), a national disaster warning system that is undergoing pilot testing.
Developed by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, the CBS transmits disaster alerts directly to handphones in affected areas.
Circumventing handphone numbers, SMS or Internet connection, the CBS will soon replace the existing SMS-based disaster warning system to provide faster and precise alerts.
