BANGI: The government will announce some positive developments on the recruitment of permanent positions for the civil defence forces (APM) soon.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he has discussed the matter with the Public Service Department (PSD) director-general Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz.
"In this hall, I was asked that permanent positions be created for APM and I have forwarded an official request to the PSD director-general and the response is very positive.
"If God wills it, there will be an announcement in the near future," he said at the inauguration ceremony of the Civil Defence month in conjunction with the Civil Defence day and the 72nd anniversary of the Civil Defence Force.
In November, then Minister in the Prime Minister Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions) Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said APM had asked the PSD to consider giving them permanent employment.
He said the matter has been brought to the Prime Minister's Office to be reviewed.
On another matter, Zahid had also invited media personnel to join APM.
"For our media friends, I want the media from print, electronic and social media to join an APM for media.
"I give them (APM) 60 days to do it," he said.
Separately APM chief commissioner Datuk Aminurrahim Mohamed said currently there are less than 1,500 permanent positions for the force.
He said they had requested for permanent positions for each district's disaster secretariat.
"I am confident that what we have requested for will be granted. Prior to this, we have applied for contract positions and it was approved.
"The main reason for our application is to complete the APM positionz at the district and state disaster secretariats.
"We have requested permanent positions for various levels including captain and officers in grade KP29," he said to reporters, here, today.
He added that APM is run mostly by volunteers, totalling around 16,000.