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PETALING JAYA: There is no need to modify first aid kits issued to soldiers sent out for patrols as it is designed for combat, says Gen Tan Sri Mohammad Ab Rahman (pic).
Following the explosion near Saida Stadium in Lebanon where six Malaysian Battalion (Malbatt) members were injured, the Armed Forces chief said that the current individual first-aid kits (IFAK) were still suitable for its purpose.
"The IFAK is issued to our troops. No modifications are needed as they are meant for combat duties," he said.
He was asked to comment on claims that the personnel had not been issued IFAKs at the time of the explosion.
In a statement earlier Friday (Nov 8), the Armed Forces said that six Malbatt members had been injured while en route to Marakah Camp from Beirut at 7.45pm Malaysian time (1.54pm Lebanese time) on Thursday (Nov 7).
The explosion was targeted at a civilian vehicle but it had also damaged a bus that was transporting Malbatt personnel.
"Five Malbatt 850-12 personnel suffered several minor injuries, including one who had a suspected closed fracture to the left arm.
"A Malbatt 850-11 personnel also suffered minor injuries," the Armed Forces said in the statement.
Malbatt 850-12 squad consists of 854 officers and personnel being sent to Lebanon to relieve the current Malbatt 850-11 stationed there.
They are being sent to Lebanon in stages until Nov 18 with the first batch consisting of 220 personnel deployed on Wednesday (Nov 6).
