KUALA LUMPUR: The Crisis Relief Squad of MCA’s (CRSM) work has been rooted in a deep culture of sacrifice, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
Speaking at CRSM’s 20th anniversary celebration here, the MCA president recalled stories of volunteers who continued rescue missions despite facing personal hardship.
He cited an incident where a team leader from Kelantan who persisted with rescue efforts despite his own child being critically ill in hospital.
“There are countless examples of courage and determination.
“Some of our members had their own homes flooded, yet they still went out to help and rescue others,” he said.
Dr Wee also paid tribute to party veteran Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, who founded CRSM in 2005.
“She was highly committed and believes that volunteering is among the duties and responsibilities of a political party,” he said yesterday.
Marking its two-decade milestone, CRSM gathered volunteers from across Malaysia and invited representatives from China for disaster relief forums and experience-sharing sessions.
The celebration also saw the launch of a commemorative coffee-table book Caring, Loving, Sharing: CRSM’s 20th Anniversary, documenting its journey since its foundation.
CRSM was founded on a four-unit structure – training, action relief, medical support and community service – designed to move volunteers efficiently from rapid assessments to coordinated relief operations.
For 20 years, CRSM has come a long way, standing out as a trusted volunteer network, mobilising swiftly whenever communities face emergencies or hardships.
From floods in Johor, Pahang and the East Coast to monsoon disasters in Sabah and Sarawak, CRSM teams have been among the earliest on the ground – evacuating families, delivering food and clean water, setting up temporary shelters, cleaning homes and working with the authorities to reach vulnerable groups.
Over the years, CRSM has worked closely with the National Disaster Management Agency, the Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC) and other agencies.
A 2024 collaboration with MRC and GoCare delivered over 1,900 relief boxes to flood-hit Kelantan and Kedah.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, CRSM expanded its role by supporting vaccination centres, distributing personal protective equipment, assisting senior citizens and B40 households and raising funds for hospital equipment.
Volunteers also helped ease pressure on overstretched facilities through front-line logistical support.
Outside crisis periods, CRSM continues to run blood donation drives, health screenings, welfare outreach programmes and community clean-ups.
Its ambulance fleet and trained responders also serve during public events and urgent call-outs.
As CRSM looks ahead, its national chief Datuk Natalie Lim said the squad remains committed to strengthening training, modernising capabilities and deepening collaboration with government agencies, non-governmental organisations and communities.
“We are committed to continuing the work that has defined CRSM’s presence for 20 years, providing assistance wherever help is needed most,” she said.
