THE newly-launched Civil Defence Emergency Response Team (CDERT) of Sungai Pinang Village Community Management Council (MPKK) has opened its office at Bandar Sri Pinang basketball court.
The office launching was officiated by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow today alongside with Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim and Jelutong MP R.S.N. Rayer.
The CDERT Sungai Pinang is said to be state’s first ever emergency response team placed under a MPKK.
This comes following the launch of Sungai Pinang’s first ever Civil Defence Emergency Response Team (CDERT) unit.
CDERT is a registered unit under the Malaysia Civil Defence Force (APM).
Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM Penang) director Lt Kolonel (PA) Cuthbert John Martin Quadra expressed his desire for CDERT to be formed at all the constituencies in the state as well.
“While we are in the midst of curbing the Covid-19 pandemic, I believe emergency response team such as the CDERT would play a significant role in assisting the community.
“It is crucial for each and every constituency in the state to have an emergency response team at hand to ensure a smooth disaster management.
“At the same time, the help received during a disaster would not be limited to the existing safety and rescue agencies only.
“The state would be able to be resourceful when they are equipped with a ‘top-notch’ emergency teams at community level,” said Quadra during his opening speech at the ceremony.
Responding to this, Chow welcomed the idea of coming up with CDERT across the constituencies in the state.
“I would like to acknowledge the desire expressed by Lt Kolonel Cuthbert John Martin Quadra to initiate CDERT at all the other constituencies in the state.
“This would be a great platform for APM and the community to collaborate. We would be able to use their manpower (community) to assist the state government in the event of a disaster.
“I hope that the CDERT could be formed in the rest of the constituencies in the soonest time possible,” said Chow.
Chow also thanked the (CDERT) of Sungai Pinang Village Community Management Council (MPKK) for their continued assistance to the community in the Sungai Pinang neighbourhood throughout the movement control order (MCO).
The CDERT under Sungai Pinang MPKK was officially formed in September 2019 and currently has 27 members.
A blood donation campaign was also held during the opening ceremony.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi
Video by Chan Kok Kuan