KAJANG, March 24 — The government is committed to upholding the roles and functions of the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (MCDF) and ensuring the wellbeing of all MCDF personnel through the Prime Minister’s Department.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said, as such, various proactive measures will continue to be taken to improve MCDF service efficiency and effectiveness by expanding its emergency and disaster operations to encompass special cross-agency integrated operations.

The measures, which also include border control and community empowerment programme, were aimed at combating the Covid-19 pandemic, especially at quarantine stations and centres.

Muhyiddin said this at the 69th MCDF anniversary celebration and the launch of its new headquarters building here today, which was also attended by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Special Functions) Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof and MCDF Chief Commissioner Datuk Roslan Wahab.

The prime minister said in strengthening MCDF’s role as a strong bulwark of national defence, especially in providing humanitarian services during emergency or disaster, the government would also look into several proposals and initiatives for improvement. 

Among the initiatives is the construction of office complexes and training centres in Perak, Sabah and Sarawak under the second rolling plan of the 12th Malaysia Plan, which will be equipped with public warning systems and serve as temporary shelters for people affected by disasters.

Apart from that, he said the government had also considered upgrading and restructuring all MCDF permanent posts at state and district offices through the Disaster Management Secretariat.

Muhyiddin said he was made to understand that there are only 578 officers holding permanent posts in disaster management.

"In line with the government’s initiatives, I hope the MCDF will continue playing its roles to increase local community’s preparedness in facing any form of disaster and emergency situation at the state, district right down to the grassroots level.

"This includes going to the ground more frequently to educate or hold public engagement sessions to enhance public awareness and to ensure that they will be ready to act as the first responder when facing an emergency situation, such as natural disaster or fire,” he said. 

Muhyiddin said as a permanent member of the International Civil Defence Organisation (ICDO) since 2010, the MCDF has become the main player in volunteer activities in Malaysia.

"MCDF members and volunteers have demonstrated high commitment at all levels and have worked tirelessly day and night in managing disasters and emergency situations such as humanitarian mission and rescue operations during floods,” he said.

He said even during this pandemic, the MCDF members had done their parts for the country by taking a huge responsibility as frontliners to help curb the spread of the coronavirus.

"I am also aware that many MCDF personnel have been and will be mobilised to rural areas under the ongoing National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme with the aim to help the local communities to register for vaccination,” he said.

On the new MCDF headquarters building, the prime minister expressed hope that all MCDF personnel would make optimal use of the facilities. 

At the event, Muhyiddin also presented the letter of appointment as MCDF Honorary Commissioner to Public Service director-general Tan Sri Mohd Khairul Adib Abd Rahman.

He also presented letters of appointment as MCDF Assistant Honorary Commissioner to Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority (Fama) director-general Zainal Abidin Razali, Malaysian Institute of Road Safety (Miros) director-general Khairil Anwar Abu Kassim, International Islamic University Malaysia deputy rector Prof Ahmad Faris Ismail and Giatmara chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Mansor.

Three other individuals received their letters of appointment as MCDF Honorary Colonel, namely Kedah Deputy State Secretary (Management) Syed Shaharuddin Syed Abdullah and president and principal master of Persekutuan Seni Silat Cekak Pusaka Ustaz Hanafi Malaysia, Syeikh Dr Md Radzi Hanafi. — Bernama