Fire engine, EMRS vehicle drivers get RM150 monthly allowance

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Abdul Rahman (second left) sharing a light moment with the award recipients at the opening of Fire Research Centre (Puspek) Innovation Day and Bahasa Kebangsaan (National Language) Month celebration at the centre in Enstek industrial site in Nilai yesterday. — Bernama photo

NILAI: A total of 2,000 grade KB17 firemen who carry out the duty of a driver for five-tonne fire engine and Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) vehicle will receive a special driver allowance of RM150 a month effective Jan 1, 2015.

Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Ministry Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan, in making the announcement, said the allowance was commensurating as driving the fire engine and EMRS vehicle demanded great skills and capability.

“Before this, there were no such allowance. It is a heavy responsibility and as such they are eligible to be paid the allowance,” he told a media conference after opening the ministry’s Fire Research Centre (Puspek) Innovation Day and Bahasa Kebangsaan (National Language) Month celebration at the centre in Enstek industrial site near here yesterday.

Also present were the ministry’s secretary-general Datuk Seri Arpah Abdul Razak and Fire and Rescue Department director-general Datuk Wira Wan Mohd Nor Ibrahim.

Abdul Rahman also expressed his appreciation to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for approving allowance application brought by the Fire and Rescue Department.

On Bahasa Kebangsaan, he said it was an initiative of his ministry to ensure local authorities throughout the country comply with the guidelines issued on usage of the national language.

“I know Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is very concerned and serious on the proper use of the language in outdoor advertisements. Hence, the Local Government under my ministry will cooperate with local authorities to implement it accordingly. — Bernama