Volunteers must be registered
PETALING JAYA: Malaysians who want to volunteer their services to help survivors in tsunami-affected areas abroad must register with the National Security Division first for security purposes.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz said the Cabinet made this decision at its meeting on Wednesday, for the purpose of co-ordination.
He said the Government understood the good intentions of the volunteers, comprising individuals, organisations and non-governmental organisations but added that co-ordination was needed to ensure Malaysians themselves did not become victims.
“We know that there are those who have gone there privately, but this can be a problem to us – their families will be looking for them,” he told reporters after sending off the second humanitarian mission to Aceh at the Royal Malaysian Air Force base in Subang yesterday.
The 80-men strong group comprised members of the SMART team, armed forces, Fire And Rescue Department, National Security Division officers and medical staff from Kuala Lumpur Hospital. The first team is scheduled to return today.
Asked if volunteers needed to get approval from National Security Division, Mohd Nazri said it was not an approval but that they must register with the division.
To another question, he said the move was not to discourage volunteers but said that they were not supposed to go off on their own as they were representing the country.
“When they are in these areas, they are exposed to infectious diseases and traumatic situations, so they have to be prepared,” he added.
On another matter, Defence Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Seri Subhan Jasmon said the ministry’s multipurpose hall would be used to collect food items and medication for tsunami survivors.
He said those keen in donating could send these items to the hall at the ministry in Jalan Padang Tembak, Kuala Lumpur.
He also said items should be separated and properly packed for easy carriage, adding that the hotline number was 03-2071-4264.
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