LETTERS: It is important for everyone to always bear in mind that, in Malaysia, there is only one number to dial for emergency services, and that is 999.
The Malaysian Emergency Response Services (MERS 999) encompasses the Fire and Rescue Department, the police, the Health Ministry, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and the Civil Defence Force.
Calls are professionally handled by phone operators, who are trained to receive and channel requests to the appropriate agencies speedily.
I have dialled 999 twice, and both times, an ambulance was dispatched from Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
The first incident saved a life, as the patient underwent brain surgery immediately upon arrival at the hospital.
The second incident was when I called for an ambulance on Nov 19, 2022, which was polling day for the 15th General Election.
I was feeling great discomfort as my heart was beating irregularly and my systolic blood pressure exceeded 200 in three successive readings.
It must be noted that MERS 999 is meant to handle emergencies that may involve crimes, serious injuries, life-threatening situations, floods, landslides, fires or rescues.
However, it may not entertain exigencies such as open burning, illegal dumping or noise pollution. Most of such cases are under the purview of the Department of Environment (DoE), which has developed the MyJAS Aduan app for the public to install and report complaints.
Although an app is convenient, using a dedicated handphone number would greatly help the public.
If there is an expediency number, such as 01X-999 9999, the public can easily remember it and make a call or forward a text, photo or video.
If the information provided is inadequate, the assigned DoE officer can easily follow up and communicate with the complainant at a suitable time.
For example, some people carry out open burning regularly to get rid of rubbish, fallen leaves and branches.
Video evidence of such acts can be forwarded to the number and DoE officers can visit the location at a convenient time to warn the culprits.
Illegal dumping of waste in deserted areas, especially along streams and rivers, may cause toxic discharge that seeps into catchment areas and reservoirs.
This can cause pollution and foul odours, which might result in another unscheduled water disruption.
Noise pollution is another nuisance. For example, many residents in Taman Maluri, Kuala Lumpur, live along a route old buses use to transport workers in the morning. Residents are jolted awake when these buses pass by with their loud exhausts and engines.
There are also cars and motorcycles with their exhaust pipes modified to sound like Ferraris or big bikes.
Their antics could easily be recorded by irate residents and forwarded to the DoE, which can work closely with the Road Transport Department and summon these offenders.
Perhaps, there should be a alternative number to 999 that the public can call for such cases? It can serve to complement the DoE app for easier reporting of complaints.
Y.S. CHAN
Kuala Lumpur
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times