SIBU: The Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) plays an important role in helping the government provide the use of automated external defibrillator (AED) to the public.
Bukit Assek assemblyman, Joseph Chieng Jin Ek said that at the upcoming state assembly sitting, Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, who is also the Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister, is expected to present a proposal to require AED to be placed in public places.
“For the upcoming state assembly sitting, I think there will be new laws where every public area will be equipped with AED equipment.
“Therefore, MRCS can play a very important role. With new laws to require this equipment if no one knows how to use it, it is still useless.
“That’s why I also contact MRCS. I hope MRCS can lead to provide training especially to the public,” he told reporters after launching the MRCS Sibu Branch’s Flag sale at the Central Market here on Sunday.
According to Chieng, the AED first aid device is expected to be required to be placed in public places as an emergency measure to help individuals suffering from heart attack.
For example, he said, AED would be placed in the Central Market as one of the public places and thus the traders should know how to handle the tool through the training provided by the MRCS.
“At least they know how to use it. So before the help of a medical professional arrive, the traders will be able to provide early assistance using AED equipment for first aid.
“That’s important. So they will be able to save their lives,” he added.
Chieng said, according to the information provided by Dr Sim, the proposal requires that the AED tool be made last year but must be approved through the state assembly before implementing the new rules.
Speaking of the event, he hoped that the public could contribute to MRCS Sibu branch.
“The contribution made by this community may not be huge but it is the way we thank MRCS Sibu branch for their efforts to ensure its sustainability’s operations.
“So I hope that our community will continue to support the sales of this flag to give them more funds to continue the humanitarian operations for our community,” he said.
Obviously, MRCS is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that goes beyond the nation, religion, or anything else, which has always contributed to the local community in disaster relief, assisting the community in training, and so on.
“They are always the first NGO to be on the site to serve the victims and so on, which is a great NGO we need to support,” he added.
Meanwhile, MRCS Sibu Branch chairman, Penghulu Chua Hiong Kee said his side was ready to provide training to the public on the use of AED.
He said the public could apply through his association for this AED training including free first aid.
“We provide free training for the public, except for those who need first aid certificates for their profession. They have to pay because this course requires at least two days training.
“Therefore, we have to charge for their costs. But for the public, they are most welcome. They just need to sign up and apply for this free first aid training,” Chua said.
