73RD ANNIVERSARY: APM CONTINUES TO STRENGTHEN DUTIES, ENHANCE NATIONAL, PUBLIC SECURITY

KUALA LUMPUR, March 24 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) continues strengthening its role as one of the country's leading disaster management agencies with various strategic achievements in conjunction with its 73rd anniversary today.

Selangor APM director Ghazali Ab Rahman said the agency's direction was further reinforced through the Civil Defence Platinum Decade Document (DPPA) 2022-2032, launched three years ago as a strategic guide. 

He mentioned that DPPA, launched by APM Chief Commissioner Datuk Aminurrahim Mohamed, is designed to propel the agency into becoming more effective in protecting lives, property and community welfare, which aligns with the goal of empowering national disaster management.

"The year 2024 marked a historic milestone with the approval of 302 contract staff positions, the highest in APM's history, alongside the success of community training involving 771,505 individuals compared to the initial target of 330,000 individuals," he said while appearing as a guest on Bernama Radio's Jendela Fikir programme. 

Ghazali also highlighted other APM achievements last year, including special appointments of staff under the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development through the Community Readiness Programme (CDA), which saw 6,398 civil servants registering under the Ihsan Madani Squad, as well as seeing an increase in response to MERS 999 calls, making APM the second most sought-after agency after the Health Ministry.

He said APM's anniversary celebration, themed "Sukarelawan dan Pertahanan, Teras Kesejahteraan Nasional", will witness the launch of its Art, Creative and Media Brigade, an effort to promote the agency's role more inclusively to the general public.

"We want the public to better understand APM's actual role, which is beyond tasks like catching snakes or giving medical aid but also playing a vital role in national security. We hope more documentaries, dramas or films portraying APM's role will be produced," he said.

Ghazali said the celebration's theme expresses appreciation for the contribution of selfless volunteers who support communities without expecting anything in return.

"Continuous training and skill enhancement will be implemented to empower officers and members. APM is also proud to have officers now stationed at the National Disaster Management Agency," he said.

He also conveyed hopes that more career opportunities and new assets can be acquired over the next five years while calling on all APM personnel to uphold ethics and integrity in carrying out their duty in the era of advanced technology and artificial intelligence.

-- BERNAMA