BATU GAJAH: The unity government has allocated RM53.8 million this year for new physical construction projects for the Fire and Rescue Department.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the allocation would also be used to carry out upgrading and maintenance works of firefighting facilities such as stations and quarters.
"In addition, RM64.8 million has been allocated this year for acquiring new assets and maintaining fire engines.
"The ministry will refurbish 30 units of fire rescue tender trucks, replace 10 buses, and maintain helicopters, aircraft refueling, and vehicle maintenance," he said in his speech at the opening ceremony of the Northern Region Malaysia Fire and Rescue Academy in Tronoh here today.
The Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah opened the academy, which was completed in 2014.
Nga said that under the 12th Malaysia Plan, the government has approved the highest allocation in history amounting to RM267.6 million for the department's development expenditure, which includes 17 new projects and 47 extension projects throughout Malaysia.
The Teluk Intan member of parliament said various successes and achievements made by the department at national and international levels.
He said among them were the involvement in the search and rescue mission during the Batang Kali landslide tragedy and its humanitarian missions as well as search and rescue assistance during the earthquake tragedy in Turkiye last year.
"As a responsible minister, I pledge full commitment to the department's programmes and initiatives aimed at enhancing service and rescue efforts for the welfare of the people," he said.