Civil Defence Force beefed up with more assets
KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian Civil Defence Force (MCDF) Sabah received five new German-made five-ton MAN trucks and a New Zealand-made amphibious sealegs multi-purpose boat yesterday.
State Secretary Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman said the Prime Minister’s Department had been working tirelessly to expand the number of assets owned by the MCDF. He explained that the assets are vital, as it will enhance the overall performance of the MCDF, particularly in its effectiveness, mobility and disaster management.
“The total cost of the six new assets is estimated to be around RM4 million. The five trucks will be placed at five different districts, namely, Kota Kinabalu, Kudat, Keningau, Tawau and Beaufort, a district which is very prone to floods.
“In total, there are 15 machinery transportation units that were supposed to be distributed. However, today, we have only managed to give out five units. The remaining ones will be distributed in stages, in which five more will be given at the later part of the year and the rest will be given early next year,” added Sukarti, who is also the State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) chairman.
Sukarti spoke at the handing over ceremony of the Operation Vehicle and Emergency Logistics to the MCDF at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) yesterday.
He further mentioned that, as of now, the MCDF has over 62 assets in total, which includes 16 machinery transportation units and 46 boats.
Also present at the event yesterday were Sabah Federal Secretary Datuk Nor Rizan Mohd Thani, National Security Council (Sabah) director Datuk Rodzi Md Saad and MCDF Sabah director Colonel Mulliadi Al-Hamdi Ladin.