APM to undergo restructuring to improve service delivery

PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysia Civil Defence Force (APM) will undergo restructuring and reformation, and armed with a new image to make its its service delivery more efficient and speedier.
Its chief commissioner, Datuk Azmi Yahya said the restructuring involved all levels including the APM headquarters, and to be fully equipped as forward bases in serving the people.
He said this was in line with efforts to increase the number of APM members to two million this year and in answering to the challenge of reducing the response time to eight minutes from 15 minutes.
"APM is endeavouring to provide as many suitable operation items, equipment and assets in handling emergency situations, particularly during natural disasters which have frequently occurred of late.
"The boosting of systems, assets and infrastructure is also undertaken in all districts of the country to make these more conducive and encompassing," he said in his speech in conjunction with APM's 65th anniversary celebration, here, today.
His speech text was read out by Federal Territory APM director, Md. Anuar Hasmin.
Azmi hence announced that APM would commence strategic cooperation and enforcement operations with a number of ministries and agencies in efforts to combat activities that violate the country's laws.
The cooperation includes that with the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry in price control monitoring, and with the Malaysia Border Control Agency to stamp out illegal activities and human trafficking at the country's border.
He said cooperation was also forged with the National Anti-Drugs Agency in fighting drug abuse, and with the Peninsular Malaysia Forestry Department in combating illegal logging.
Last year, Azmi said, APM had attended to 132,791 emergency cases and involved in 715 rescue cases under the APM Beach Rescue Team at 41 public beach areas across the country. — Bernama