PETALING JAYA: A mechanism to retain the Special Malaysian Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) is being looked at to ensure that the personnel do not have to return to their respective units, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister said it was imperative that the specially trained team, with their valuable skills, continue their current service instead of returning to their agencies, such as the police, Fire and Rescue Department, and Armed Forces.
“There has been an understanding between the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and other agencies to borrow their personnel, but based on the regulations, they have to return-to-unit after a certain period.
“So, we have to find a mechanism on how to retain them and address the limitations, as well as give them promotions.
“This is a suggestion that will be further discussed with the Public Service Department and the relevant agencies,” he told reporters at the SMART headquarters in Puchong yesterday.
New recruits, Ahmad Zahid pointed out, would also require new training, adding that another point of concern was the age factor for those serving as members of SMART.
At present, SMART comprises 141 personnel, with 125 of those positions filled this year.
They include 44 personnel from the police, 31 from the Armed Forces, and 49 from the Fire and Rescue Department.
The standard secondment period is five years, with most serving longer.
Earlier in his speech at the Nadma Mandate Ceremony for 2024, Ahmad Zahid said in 2016, the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group, or Insarag External Classification (IEC), named SMART one of the best elite rescue teams.
At present, SMART is ranked second among Asean, eighth in Asia-Pacific, and 46th in the world.
“With the inclusion of training modules and equipment following the Finance Ministry’s approval, we are confident that SMART will soar to greater heights.
“A new assessment by the Insarag secretariat is also scheduled for September 2026. As such, Nadma is planning to develop SMART according to Insarag criteria between 2024 and 2026,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid also said the burden and responsibilities of flood management should not be shouldered by the Federal Government alone, adding that cooperation and coordination with states were crucial during disasters.
“In managing the floods, we have to cast aside ‘colourful’ politics, especially among those not aligned with the Federal Government. We have to shoulder the responsibilities together.
“At the federal level and Nadma, we are colourblind when it comes to disaster management. But it is imperative that the state governments also respond quickly during the operations,” he said.
Also present was Nadma director-general Datuk Khairul Shahril Idrus.
