NGOs, individuals praised for contributions
KUCHING: Malaysia Civil Defence Force (APM) commended non-governmental organisations ( NGOs) in Sarawak and certain individuals for their contributions to victims during emergencies, disasters and in their activities.
Its acting director general Datuk Selamat Dahalan said their contributions in term of materials, manpower and assets were needed since the department is now the secretariat for disaster committees and responsible for co- ordinating any form of assistance for district or state-level disasters in the country.
“We have been given the task to ensure that these contributions are properly done in an orderly and systematic manner to manage any form of disaster so that there will be no wastage of resources— manpower and assets.
“In Malaysia, we have enough manpower and assets— equipment, four-wheel- drives, boats, places to shelter, blankets and food– for us to save and evacuate victims from the scene or places of disaster,” he added.
He said this at a press conference after APM’s Hi-Tea Appreciation function with various Sarawak NGOs held at Kelab Golf Sarawak here yesterday.
We have been given the task to ensure that these contributions are properly done in an orderly and systematic manner to manage any form of disaster so that there will be no wastage of resources—manpower and assets.
Selamat said since shortage of facilities and equipment were always present during any form of disaster or emergency, the NGOs’ contributions would always be appreciated and their ( NGOs) response had been excellent.
Selamat cited experiences such as during the recent floods in Perak, Kedah and other parts of Peninsular Malaysia and he believes that if any disaster occurs in the country, APM will be able to rise up to the challenge.
“All these are (possible) because we have enough manpower and assets assisted by NGOs and individuals and we will continue to welcome their assistance which they can channel direct to APM or to the National Disaster Committees at district or statelevel,” he said.
He added that those interested in helping out during disasters and emergencies could either participate through NGOs or APM as officers or allied APM officials and that APM would provide training.
Selamat revealed that the government had already set a target of two million registered volunteers with APM by 2017, and to date, there were 1.2 million registered volunteers.
“From this, we can deploy 3,800 in a space of two hours in the event of a disaster and within 24 hours we can deploy 38,000 personnel. If there is an even bigger disaster than that, we can deploy as many as 380,000 personnel.
“We are still collaborating with employers and government agencies so they can release their staff who registered with us as soon as possible to be deployed during disasters,” he said.
Selamat said under Part C of the General Order, these volunteers from any employer and government agency can serve when called up and can take leave without record.
Earlier, state APM director Mohtar Samat lauded NGOs in Sarawak who had developed a good and positive working relationship with the department during emergencies and disasters such as during floods this year.
He and Selamat later presented appreciation certificates from APM to various NGOs.
Datuk Selamat Dahalan, Malaysia Civil Defence Force acting director general