KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) has extended aid to many, domestically and abroad, despite the general perception that it only provides ambulance services.
The statutory body carries out work involving disaster relief, fundraising, services and public education in disaster management as well as promoting humanitarian values.
The MRCS was established in 1948 as a branch of the British Red Cross Society and after the country’s independence it was officially incorporated by statute with the passing of the Federation of Malaya Red Cross Society (Incorporation) Act 1962 by Parliament.
On Sept 5, 1975, the society was renamed the Malaysian Red Crescent Society by the passing of the Malaysian Red Cross Society (Change of Name) Act 1975.
The process of amending the Act is long overdue and MRCS is now looking at making necessary changes to reflect their work.
But, MRCS international humanitarian law, legal and international relations manager Saiful Izan Nordin said the society had to review its constitution before it could get the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry to amend the Act.
“Basically now we are reviewing our constitution so that we can highlight our work since right now we are known as a body that provides ambulance service.
“We are more than that. We are getting involved in other work such as in disaster management, contributing during a disaster and many others.
“This is why we hope that the government will appreciate our work and also contribute financially to our work,” he said.
Saiful said changes to the society’s constitution were expected to be made by the middle of next year and the Act would be amended in two years’ time.
MRCS secretary-general Datuk Sayed A Rahman Sayed Mohd said the society had yet to engage with the relevant ministries on the amendment.
He expressed the hope that MRCS’s work would be recognised and appreciated.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) secretary-general, Elhadj As Sy said MRCS was focusing on increasing the number of volunteers.
He said the society had more than 13.5 million volunteers around the globe, and 60 per cent of them were youths.
He said more young people should get involved in volunteering.
“Many of the issues we are talking about and what we are worrying about will be impacting the youth today and tomorrow such as climate change, environmental degradation, disaster preparedness and response, a culture of peace and non-violence, education and behaviour change.
“Our work will be very much important for the young people and so, having them at all levels of governance, in the staff and as volunteers are very critical,” he said.
The IFRC under-secretary-general for partnerships Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood called on the government and corporate bodies to support MRCS by recognising its work.
“I’d like to call on the government and corporate bodies to look at the MRCS as an important body because the MRCS fulfils a responsibility in helping those in need during a disaster.
“We also do many good activities for the youth where we emphasise on matters involving toleration, anti-racism and gender respect which are all important in our country today.
“I hope there will be more awareness and support for the MRCS,” she said.
The MRCS runs a 24-hour ambulance service throughout the nation which comprises more than 50 ambulance units at 16 branches.
It has also initiated a programme called “A First Aider in Every Home” with the objective of having at least one person trained in first aid in every Malaysian family.
Work of note carried out by MRCS at the international level include assistance provided during the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami. The society collected more than RM3 million in donations and sent it to the Japanese Red Cross Society.
In 2015, MRCS appealed for donations and launched a relief effort in response to the 2015 Nepal earthquake and last year, the society launched a similar effort to help the victims of the earthquake and tsunami that struck Sulawesi, Indonesia.