APM targets three million volunteers by year’s end
MIRI: The Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) is targeting to have three million volunteers by end of this year.
APM Chief Commissioner Major- General ( Rtd) Datuk Azmy Yahya said APM will continue to realise its efforts towards the empowerment of the force by means of membership enhancement whether permanent or volunteer members.
“Our target in recruitment of volunteer members will not stop at three million but will continue until at least 10 per cent of Malaysians are members of the Civil Defence Volunteer as intended by the International Civil Defence Organisation ( ICDO).
“Meanwhile, the APM will focus on acquiring assets that impact the force both on land as well as in water,” he said.
Azmy said this in his text of speech read by APM Miri officer Capt ( PA) Mohd Hazle Shah Abdul Hamid during the ‘Majlis Perutusan Amanat Ketua Pesuruhjaya APM’ in conjunction with the 66th anniversary of the civil defence force held at Miri District Operations Control Centre.
He also said APM would focus on training and skills courses to enhance the capabilities and competencies of its staff.
This would include sending staff to attend seminars and workshops organised by government agencies and private sector on disaster management.
“This effort is to equip every member at every level with the knowledge to improve the quality of services provided by us to the community,” he added.
The celebration held here also witnessed a total of 27 people comprising members of Anggota Sukarelawan Tetap Operasi (ASTO) and Anggota Sukarelawan Tetap Pejabat (ASTP) receiving their certificate from Mohd Hazle.