Pantai Damai sets up first volunteer Civil Defence Unit
KUCHING: Pantai Damai is set to become the first constituency in the state to establish a volunteer Civil Defence Unit.
The initiative would see the establishment of a special platoon of 100 to 120 personnel. The volunteers will undergo basic training beginning next month and are expected to be ready to serve in May.
Pantai Damai assemblyman Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, who mooted the idea, said the programme would enable the local community to complement the services of the state Civil Defence Department and provide faster response to emergency situations such as those involving search and rescue.
“One of the main reasons we came out with this initiative is to encourage the youths in particular to be involved in uniformed bodies.
“Apart from existing organisations such as the People’s Volunteer Corps and Fire and Rescue volunteer units, the Civil Defence offers a different and broader scope of activities which could further attract interest of the youths,” Dr Abdul Rahman told a press conference at the state Civil Defence Department headquarters at Jalan Diplomatik near here yesterday.
Also present was state Civil Defence director Col (PA) Mohtar Samat, who earlier gave a briefing to Dr Abdul Rahman and Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu ( PBB) Pantai Damai members on the initiative.
For a start, Dr Rahman said youth leaders from Pantai Damai PBB would have to register for the pilot project in order to spur the interest of other residents.
Its other objective, he pointed out, was to help reduce social ills and encourage participation of the youths in public services.
“Problems usually arise when we have too many youths who have nothing to do at their villages. Engaging the youths to be involved with the Civil Defence voluntarily unit for example can fill up their time, energy and mind with beneficial activities.
“In addition, this programme can help improve their health due to the physical training and fitness requirement of the department. We can produce healthy young people in the village,” he continued.
He also said joining voluntary bodies, especially the Civil Defence Unit, would give the
One of the main reasons we came out with this initiative is to encourage the youths in particular to be involved in uniformed bodies.
youths an advantage when applying for jobs and the valuable experience they gained would be a plus factor if they were to join the Civil Defence Department as regular personnel.
Mohtar, who applauded and strongly supported the initiative, said he would look at the possibility of using the Pantai Damai voluntary Civil Defence Unit as a model to establish similar units in other state constituencies.
“This is a good product which already has a brand, quality and has deep meaning when it comes to serving the society. To sell this idea should not be difficult. The state Civil Defence Department will discuss the matter with other elected representatives,” he said.
He added that committed individuals would be invited to attend advanced training with the possibility of being absorbed automatically into the Civil Defence Department.
The special platoon is open to individuals aged 18 to 58 years.
Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Pantai Damai assemblyman