The Sarawak government will further expand the establishment of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and the state border enforcement team known as the Immune Belt Enforcement Team (IBET).
Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who is also the State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN), chairman, said the two teams, trained by the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM), have proven to be able to play their role as the front liners in dealing with local disaster situations in the state.
"We want to expand the establishment of these two teams to all villages in Sarawak considering the vastness of the state," he said in his speech when representing Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at the handing over of ambulances to APM here, today.
He said the training provided by APM enabled the CERT and IBET members to handle disaster situations, including mobilising the community for evacuation and ensuring the safety of the residents.
Meanwhile, Uggah expressed his appreciation to the federal government for allocating 15 four-wheel drive (4WD) ambulances for APM’s use in Sarawak.
However, he said, the number was still not enough to meet the needs of the state and requested the federal government to provide amphibious boats for APM in Sarawak to further improve its service in the state.
Meanwhile, APM chief commissioner Aminurrahim Mohamed said Sarawak is the first state to receive 4WD ambulances for use by the force.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency
