PUCHONG: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi advocates for the continued inclusion of Special Malaysian Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (Smart) members seconded from the police, Fire and Rescue Department, and armed forces.
He said it would be imprudent to reassign them under their respective agencies' "return to unit" (RTU) agreements, as their valuable skills, honed for disaster response, would be squandered.
"These Smart members were even sent abroad for training.
"I will discuss the matter with the Public Service Department director-general, as well as the heads of agencies involved, the armed forces chief, the Inspector-General of Police and the Fire and Rescue director-general," he said in a Press conference after attending the National Disaster Management Agency's (Nadma) 2024 New Year's Mandate ceremony at Smart base today.
Zahid, who is also Nadma Central Disaster Management Committee chairman, he said there are currently 141 positions in Smart team members including officers, of which 125 of them had been filled.
The standard secondment period is five years, with the longest-serving Smart personnel having been with the team for 13 years.
Zahid said Nadma is currently undergoing a restructuring phase, aligning positions, assets, and funds to be directed towards states and districts.
He commended the Smart team's impressive rankings, placing second in Asean, eighth in the Asia Pacific, and 46th globally.
With the Finance Ministry's approval for additional course modules and equipment, Zahid said the Smart team would have the means to climb higher in the global standings.
Nadma also plans to enhance collaboration with experienced countries, focusing on knowledge, technology, and equipment transfer, particularly by sending Smart teams for training abroad.
Zahid stressed the importance of relying on local expertise in disaster management, discouraging the return of skilled personnel to their respective agencies as it would necessitate training new recruits.
In his address, he urged all parties to set aside differences and collaborate seamlessly during disaster response, emphasising that disaster management is a shared responsibility between the federal and state governments.
Zahid encouraged states to work in tandem with various agencies during rescue efforts and provide support to victims when disasters occur.
He acknowledged the valuable contributions of organisations such as the Fire and Rescue Department and non-governmental organisations, emphasising the need for continued assistance during and after disasters, for example, helping with cleanup efforts.