JBPM Distributes 150 Community Boats Nationwide To Help Expedite Flood Rescue Ops

SEREMBAN, July 31 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) has begun distributing 150 community boats, valued at RM1.8 million, nationwide to facilitate and expedite the rescue of flood victims at the early stage.

Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu said the phased handing-over of the boats to eligible recipients began today.

“The bodies identified as eligible recipients include the Community and Volunteer Fire Brigade, Rukun Tetangga groups, Village Development and Security Committee, as well as the Federal Village Development and Security Committee and stations with a high number of flood rescue operations.

“The procurement of the new boats and accessories for community rescue was made through the allocation under the 2023 Third Rolling Plan of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) to facilitate the rescue process of local communities to safe locations,” she said.

She told reporters this after officiating the Water Activity Safety Campaign programme in conjunction with the World Drowning Prevention Day, which was also attended by JBPM director-general Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad here today.

Aiman Athirah also said that Malaysia recorded an average of 1,359 deaths from drowning from 2020 to 2024, with an annual fatality average of 272.

“If analysed, the number of deaths from drowning is much higher than deaths due to fires. The high-risk age group - between 20 and 39 and between seven and 19 - recorded the highest number of fatalities, accounting for 36 per cent and 30 per cent of the total deaths, respectively,” she said.  

As such, she said appropriate prevention programmes need to be implemented, in addition to ensuring policy planning involving the participation of various sectors is carried out to reduce the risks of drowning incidents.

Aiman Athirah said continuous efforts, like today’s campaign, should be expanded not only to tourist areas but also to villages and rural areas near natural water resources, such as rivers and lakes.

Meanwhile, Nor Hisham said the JBPM always takes proactive measures to monitor hotspots that are often exposed to drowning incidents, besides emphasising public awareness programmes, especially for the younger generation.

“Previously, the northeast monsoon season was linked to the high number of drowning cases, but these days, drowning cases tend to increase during long holiday seasons when many people head to recreational areas,” he said.

-- BERNAMA