NG MERS 999 OPERATING NORMALLY, ISOLATED INCIDENTS HANDLED IMMEDIATELY

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 18 (Bernama) -- The Next Generation Malaysian Emergency Response Services 999 System (NG MERS 999) is operating normally following reports of ambulance services received by the Health Ministry (MOH), Communications Ministry and Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM).

In a joint statement by both ministries and TM today, they informed that even though the incidents were isolated, they were handled seriously and immediately as every emergency call involved lives and the public well-being.

"TM’s technical review confirms that NG MERS 999 is operating normally, including the case channelling procedure using the "nearest available" principle to ensure the nearest emergency asset can be mobilised as soon as possible,” the joint statement said.

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NG MERS 999 is the country’s new generation emergency system developed to provide faster, more accurate, modern and inclusive services.

The MOH will continue to improve responses in the field by adding ambulances, reorganising staff assignments in strategic areas and with the involvement of volunteer bodies such as the Malaysian Red Crescent Society, St John Ambulance Malaysia and local non-governmental organisations as part of the country’s emergency response capabilities.

"Continuous assessment on the capability of asset coordination and readiness is also being done together with related agencies, and at the same time the 999 service via audio calls remains fully functional and can be used normally,” they said.

The SaveME999 app functions as an additional channel, especially for users who require communicating via text, video and multimedia in line with efforts to increase effectiveness and comprehensiveness of the country’s emergency response.

"TM will continue to improve system capacity and the NG MERS 999 app, including the related software and technical processes to ensure that the operations performance and experience is smoother for all emergency agencies,” they said.

The NG MERS 999, which began operations on Nov 16, is the result of strategic partnerships between the Communications Ministry, the MOH, TM and five major emergency agencies, the MOH, the Royal Malaysia Police, the Fire and Rescue Department, the Civil Defence Force and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.

-- BERNAMA