KUCHING: A total of 56 officers and personnel from the Civil Defence Force (APM) Kuching were promoted during the Officers and Members Promotion Ceremony held at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar on Friday (April 14).
APM Sarawak director Abdul Wahab Rahim who officiated at the ceremony said that the promotion of APM officers and personnel provided an opportunity to strengthen the civil defence force as a whole.
“The promotion of ranks is also aimed to restructure the different departments and teams within the APM organisation,” he told reporters in a press conference after officiating at the event.
The ceremony began with four officers promoted from Lieutenant to Captain, Lieutenant to Second Lieutenant, higher staff to senior staff and Major to higher ranks.
During the press conference, Abdul Wahab added that the promotion of ranks was beneficial to also reward the officers who have been in service for a long time.
“This ceremony is also an opportunity to appreciate the officers and APM personnel for their relentless effort to help curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
Adding further, he said to date APM Sarawak has over 5,000 active members; however registered members are around 20,000.
He added that the large geographical landscape of Sarawak ranging up to rural Belaga, means more members are needed to strengthen its reach in those areas.
Earlier in his speech, Abdul Wahab urged his officers to remain committed and dedicated with the responsibilities given.
“When facing difficult situations such as natural disasters in the future, I am confident that we will always be ready to face such an operation.
“A sense of responsibility is important. This is because strength and a passion for volunteerism are items that will spur us forward,” he said.
Also present at the ceremony were state APM deputy director Raja Mohamad Al Hakim Raja Jaafar@Raja Yaakub and senior officer Major Wan Khairul Zakhwan Wan Tajudden.
