(Kuala Lumpur, 23rd) Although landslides and floods are often considered occasional disasters, when actual danger occurs, most Malaysians actually have little idea about the most basic self-rescue steps.
This is precisely why every Friday evening, people of various ages and backgrounds gather at the Malaysia International Search and Rescue Organization (MISAR) training center, all aiming to learn skills that could one day save their lives.
K. Balasubramaniam told Bernama that the training mainly teaches the public how to respond to common emergencies, and some of these skills require no special equipment—just smartly making use of items at hand can be enough for a rescue.
He said these emergency response trainings, which start at 8:30 pm and last two hours, are free for members of the public aged 17 and above, with a different emergency skill taught every week.
He also mentioned an earlier flood survival program, and believes that no matter what training is offered, participants will share their newfound knowledge with family, friends, or even the wider community.
"Some people even create content or write articles. I've seen many people sharing what they've learned at the training sessions on Facebook, complete with photos they've taken."
Due to the organization's very limited resources, he hopes that government departments—such as the Ministry of Housing and Local Government—can lend their support to expand this initiative to educate the public.
Among all the participants, teachers stood out in particular; Pengaman Autism Centre sent more than ten teachers to take part in the training.
The center's general manager Azura said in an interview that all teachers should undergo similar training to master basic emergency response knowledge, so that they can protect students if a flood occurs.
She gave an example that in emergencies such as floods, teachers must first ensure their own safety—like securing safety ropes—before they can effectively rescue others.
It's not just teachers who benefit; many ordinary citizens have also gained from it. For instance, 64-year-old retiree Chan Wei Ling said this hands-on training is far more practical than theoretical learning.
She especially found the roof escape and in-water vehicle rescue drills to be invaluable, as they serve as good reminders to prepare an emergency kit and safety gear beforehand for quick action in sudden situations.