ALOR GAJAH, Dec 20 –The Federal Government has allocated RM20 million for the purchase of about 100 four wheel drive and other vehicles for the Malaysian Civil Defense Force (MCDF) over the next five years.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Special Functions) Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof said the purchase of the assets was much needed by the MCDF, especially to replace vehicles which were damaged or lacking in mechanical capacity to carry out their duties.
“It is important especially when carrying out the tasks of rescuing and evacuating victims, particularly during the flood season that strikes at the end of each year.
“I have also approved an allocation for the purchase of 15 four wheel drive vehicles and they will be distributed to MCDF next January for rescue purposes, especially during the monsoon season which is expected to end in March,” he said.
He said this to Bernama after handing food kits to 30 Foodpanda food delivery riders in the Alor Gajah Parliamentary constituency here, today.
Commenting further, Mohd Redzuan, who is also the Member of Parliament for Alor Gajah, said although there was a need for improvement of assets for the use of MCDF, at the same time his ministry remained prudent when spending by looking at the country’s fiscal position.
In the meantime, Mohd Redzuan said he would launch a programme that targeted about 200 young people to be used as delivery agents for various goods using motorcycles in the Alor Gajah Parliamentary area next year.
He said under the programme, participants would be given a motorcycle each to be delivery agents of various goods in an effort to increase the income of the group in facing the challenge of new norms of life due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“For example, for a start, we give five motorcycles to each State Assembly under the Alor Gajah Parliamentary constituency for starters, then we add more.
“We are looking at the keenness of these youths to increase their income. If the demand go up we will increase (the number of motorcycles to be given to them). This is one of the approaches we bring to make the community aware that the government really understands the situation in rural areas,” he said.
