The Malaysian Civil Defence Department will increase its holding strength to as many as 20 million volunteers. With a larger number the department can provide better services to the people.
Director-General of Civil Defence, Datuk Ogu Salim Omar, said that recruitment would commence immediately.
“We’ve been entrusted with the responsibility of forming disaster management secretariats at state and district levels. To achieve the said recruitment target, we’ve established emergency teams at village levels and at schools, where cadet and community police teams are formed. Our current strength stands at 850,000. From this number we’re capable of deploying as many as 300,000 members in an emergency situation,” he told reporters at the Malaysian Civil Defence (Perak) 2015 Excellent Service Award ceremony held at the banquet hall of the Home Ministry complex, Meru Raya on Tuesday, February 16.
Individuals from 21 categories of the Perak chapter of the department were given commendation as a form of recognition for services rendered.
Present at the ceremony were the Executive Councillor for Tourism, Arts, Culture, Communication and Multimedia, Dato’ Nolee Ashilin Dato’ Mohammed Radzi and Perak Civil Defence Department Director, Colonel Mohd Noor Hassan Ashaari Sulaiman (Rtd).
According to Ogu Salim Omar, the government has given its green light for the expansion of manpower and the acquisition of capital equipment such as multi-purpose vehicles, ambulances, trucks, beddings, etc. which will be in the pipeline beginning October this year.
“As many as 61 5-tonne trucks, 14 boats and 32 large-sized beds will be acquired.
Our current assets are insufficient to serve the 144 districts under our command. What we need are trucks and 4WD vehicles to transport our personnel to disaster areas fast and efficiently,” he said.
Rosli Mansor
