Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar
SIBU: Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) and the Attorney-General’s Chambers have completed the final draft of the amendment to the Civil Defence Act 1952 aimed at strengthening the Civil Defence Department (JPAM).
Deputy Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said this was to place JPAM on par with the civil defence departments of other countries.
He had proposed steps for JPAM and the ministry to take to enable the department play a more effective role as the government’s rescue agency.
Wan Junaidi was asked if KDN had any plan to rebrand JPAM to enable members of the public to be more aware of its roles and beef up its assets such as rescue vehicles to conduct rescue operations in harsh environments, following disclosure by JPAM director-general Datuk Zaitun Ab Samad that despite being established in 1939, many people still did not know the existence of JPAM, which had become a major challenge for her to change the people’s perception that the department’s main task was not to catch snakes.
“KDN is looking into the programme in the move to place JPAM in its right place as the third line of defence in any national disaster; natural or man-made.
“For that purpose, I have proposed the JPAM and the ministry to take the necessary steps,” the Santubong MP told The Borneo Post yesterday.
He proposed to upgrade its manpower and upgrade JPAM districts across the country.
“To establish formally districts at areas considered necessary. This will enhance, expand and enable penetration of JPAM throughout the nation,” he explained.
Wan Junaidi also called for steps to provide more assets like vehicles, boats and helicopters to be based at strategic localities in the country and other steps to provide high-tech equipment and communication technology to JPAM.
“Also, to enhance skills, capability, command and control of JPAM with better training and expertise,” he added.