Welcome aboard: Ahmad Zahid (left) presenting Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa a letter of appointment to the APM, at the Civil Defence Month event. Looking on are Fadillah (second from left) and Fahmi. — Bernama
KAJANG: Civil Defence Force (APM) volunteers can look forward to a higher daily allowance soon, thanks to Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who proposed for the amount to be doubled.
The Deputy Prime Minister expressed his commitment to push this proposal to the Cabinet for the allowance to be increased from RM40 to RM80.
“I have advocated for this proposal at the Cabinet level. My colleagues – Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil – are supporting the effort to ensure APM volunteers receive the RM80 daily allowance,” he said.
Speaking at the Civil Defence Month 2025 closing ceremony, Ahmad Zahid, who is also the National Disaster Committee chairman, said the increase in allowance aligns with the critical roles APM volunteers play.
“This is especially so during the northeast monsoon season when their responsibilities increase significantly,” he added, Bernama reported.
Ahmad Zahid also commended APM volunteers for their involvement in the search and rescue operations following the gas pipeline explosion in Putra Heights last week.
“On April 1, the volunteers were on the front lines in the aftermath of the gas leak. Even though I couldn’t be on site myself, their dedication was evident,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid announced the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART), which was sent to Myanmar as part of the Malaysian Humanitarian Aid Mission (MAS-01), will be awarded certificates in recognition of their dedication.
A total of 50 SMART officers and personnel from the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) travelled to Naypyidaw on March 30 to assist in the search and rescue operations following the 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar.
Earlier, Ahmad Zahid announced that the National TVET Day 2025 will be held in Melaka from June 11 to 13.
“In conjunction with National TVET Day, Malaysia, as the Asean Chair for 2025, will also host the Asean TVET council regional policy dialogue in Kuala Lumpur.
“The dialogue is a manifestation of Malaysia’s commitment to drive regional cooperation towards the development of skilled human capital and strengthen networks among Asean member countries in the TVET field,” he said after chairing the National TVET Council meeting.
