MCA has applauded Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement that he will discuss the proposed special allowance for the Malaysian Special Search and Rescue Force (SMART) involved in the search and rescue (SAR) efforts in Turkiye and Syria.
According to party spokesperson Saw Yee Fung, the award is in recognition of the professionalism, tireless determination and how indispensable SAR workers are when natural catastrophes strike.
The prime minister, who made the proposal upon his return from Turkiye yesterday (Feb 16), said he witnessed the sacrifices made by the Malaysian team at ground zero.
He also said he will discuss with the Treasury on the appropriate amount of allowances for the Malaysian rescuers according to their period of service.
“The SAR Crew place their own lives at risk amid unpredictable elements in daunting circumstances,” said Saw in a statement.
“From Malaysia’s tropical climate to first time conducting SAR in sub-zero temperatures, be it knee-deep uncertain muddy and water-inundated terrains, to debris, rubble and wreckage, or cutting through concrete and wires, the SAR personnel have never complained but remained focused on locating and retrieving survivors or victims who perished, or to treat the wounded and injured or deliver emergency first aid to save lives.”
Saw said from Batang Kali in Selangor to Nurdagi and Adiyaman, southern Turkiye and now en route to northern Syria, the SAR members have time and time again proven their colourblind work ethics.
“We urge Malaysians to acknowledge the presence and efficiency of Malaysia’s emergency response and relief workers who are often taken for granted or not even thought of, in regular days, when no major disaster makes it to the news,” she remarked.
Malaysia’s SAR team at ground zero consists of personnel from SMART, the Fire and Rescue Department, Civil Defence Force, Royal Medical Corps of the Armed Forces and two tracker dogs.
Not forgetting Frankie, Denti and all tracker dogs
Meanwhile, in both the landslide and earthquake tragedies, the K9 squad with their sensitive sniffing ability have proven how instrumental our four-legged friends are in detecting signs of life or remains of people.
“In this regard, we urge the public not to abuse animals, dogs included. It was only recently that Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin expressed sadness and disappointment following photos and videos of abandoned dogs neglected and emaciated at a dog shelter managed by Kuala Langat Municipal Council (MDKL),” Saw pointed out.
“Hence, do not give dogs a dog’s life, but remember that pooches wag their tails from their heart. Especially now, in times of major disaster, canines certainly live up to the adage that ‘dogs are men’s best friends’.” – Feb 17, 2023
Main pic credit: Sadiq Asyraf/Prime Minister’s Office of Malaysia
