Latest news with #PPDA
Sinar Daily
14-06-2025
- General
- Sinar Daily
Fire Dept's elite water rescue unit: Braving dangers to recover drowning victims
KOTA BHARU - Diving into the pitch-black depths of a lake or river to search for drowning victims is a perilous mission fraught with hidden dangers. Relying solely on the ropes that connect them to the surface, divers from the Water Rescue Unit (PPDA) - an elite unit in the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM) specialised in handling water-related incidents and emergencies - leave no room for error during their search and rescue operations. In certain states, such as Kelantan and Sarawak, the team also contends with another danger - crocodiles that lurk beneath the murky river water. Officially established on Jan 1, 2004, PPDA has teams stationed in every state to support search and rescue operations in rivers, lakes, mining pools, dams and flooded areas. In Kelantan, where floods occur annually during the monsoon season, PPDA teams are stationed in three locations: Pengkalan Chepa (in Kota Bharu), Pasir Puteh and Tanah Merah. STRONG CURRENTS, WHIRLPOOLS Commenting on PPDA's operations in the state, JBPM Kelantan director Farhan Sufyan Borhan told Bernama their biggest challenge arises when victims go missing in rivers, most of which have strong currents. "In swift-flowing rivers, the challenge is even greater because anything afloat can be swept tens of kilometres away from the original location, and if the current exceeds four knots, diving becomes nearly impossible,' he said. Citing a recent incident in Kuala Krai, he said two Orang Asli men fell into a river and their bodies were only found after four days. "One body was found about 25 km away and the other nearly 30 km,' he said, adding that usually, a body resurfaces within 48 hours but water temperature, depth and current speed can delay the process. Rivers in Kelantan, he added, are also rocky and some areas contain whirlpools, further increasing the risk for rescuers. "If diving is not possible due to certain conditions, the PPDA team will switch to a surfacing strategy, that is, wait and monitor locations where a victim's body is likely to appear. "This monitoring work is far from easy. It demands patience, discipline and emotional strength as every passing moment carries a glimmer of hope,' he said. He also said certain locations are known as crocodile zones but that does not mean operations cannot be carried out there. "Usually, when crocodiles hear the sound of a boat engine, they move away. The sound serves as a signal for them to retreat to another area but we still can't take anything for granted,' he said. According to him, caution is always a priority and any sign of danger, no matter how small, is taken into account before team members are allowed to dive. "We will never let anyone enter the water if the risk is unpredictable. Strict procedures must be followed. Our team members' lives are not to be gambled with,' he said. EMOTIONAL BURDEN Beyond physical challenges, PPDA members often endure emotional strain, especially when faced with pleas like "Please bring my child home'. "Every time they dive into the water, they don't know what they'll find. Sometimes the body has been in the river for days and all that's left are the feet, hands or scraps of clothing. Even if the body is decomposed, decayed or unrecognisable, the divers still bring the remains back to shore,' he said. The stench of decomposing bodies, nauseating to most, has become an everyday reality for the team members, though the smell sometimes lingers on their clothing. Sometimes the team's operations involve wading through polluted, blackened water full of trash, toxic waste or sewage. Bernama FILE PIX "Sometimes their operations involve wading through polluted, blackened water full of trash, toxic waste or sewage. All of this is part and parcel of the team's work. "What's more, their duties are not limited to finding drowning victims. They also assist other agencies, like the police, in locating evidence submerged underwater,' he added. RISK OF DEATH Despite being considered an elite team, PPDA members are not immune to deadly risks while on duty. The tragedy that claimed six members of the PPDA on Oct 3, 2018, still haunts many of them and serves as a stark reminder of how close they are to death with every operation. The six divers drowned during an operation at night in search of a teenager who fell into a disused mining pool in Puchong, Selangor. That incident remains the worst tragedy in PPDA's history since its establishment. "Fire department divers are trained for all situations, including night operations and handling unexpected events. But sometimes, unforeseen issues arise and at that moment, it's not just technical skill but also mental strength that's needed,' Farhan Sufyan said. He said although PPDA members are trained to dive in darkness, they generally avoid night dives unless absolutely necessary. "We're not afraid of the darkness itself but of the hidden dangers such as sudden current shifts and floating debris that can't be seen. At night, even a small mistake can turn into a tragedy,' he said. RIGOROUS TRAINING To be a member of PPDA, firefighters must undergo specially designed basic training to ensure only the most qualified are chosen. "Some of the tests they have to undergo include floating unaided for five minutes, jumping from a height of 10 metres and swimming nonstop for 600 metres. "These tests are only to assess their basic eligibility. Only those who pass will proceed to a five-week intensive course at the Northern Zone Fire Academy in Tronoh, Perak,' he said, adding it is also important to remember that not everyone who passes the tests has the mental strength to bring back the remains of drowned victims. Every year, PPDA members must undergo a re-evaluation to assess their competence and health levels. "Diving requires both physical and mental endurance, so every member must be 100 percent fit,' he said. - BERNAMA
Barnama
09-06-2025
- General
- Barnama
Hidden Dangers Faced By Bomba's Elite Divers
D iving into the pitch-black depths of a lake or river to search for drowning victims is a perilous mission fraught with hidden dangers. Relying solely on the ropes that connect them to the surface, divers from the Water Rescue Unit (PPDA) – an elite unit in the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM) specialised in handling water-related incidents and emergencies – leave no room for error during their search and rescue operations. In certain states, such as Kelantan and Sarawak, the team also contends with another danger – crocodiles that lurk beneath the murky river water. Officially established on Jan 1, 2004, PPDA has teams stationed in every state to support search and rescue operations in rivers, lakes, mining pools, dams and flooded areas. In Kelantan, where floods occur annually during the monsoon season, PPDA teams are stationed in three locations: Pengkalan Chepa (in Kota Bharu), Pasir Puteh and Tanah Merah. STRONG CURRENTS, WHIRLPOOLS Commenting on PPDA's operations in the state, JBPM Kelantan director Farhan Sufyan Borhan told Bernama their biggest challenge arises when victims go missing in rivers, most of which have strong currents. 'In swift-flowing rivers, the challenge is even greater because anything afloat can be swept tens of kilometres away from the original location, and if the current exceeds four knots, diving becomes nearly impossible,' he said. Citing a recent incident in Kuala Krai, he said two Orang Asli men fell into a river and their bodies were only found after four days. 'One body was found about 25 km away and the other nearly 30 km,' he said, adding that usually, a body resurfaces within 48 hours but water temperature, depth and current speed can delay the process. Rivers in Kelantan, he added, are also rocky and some areas contain whirlpools, further increasing the risk for rescuers. 'If diving is not possible due to certain conditions, the PPDA team will switch to a surfacing strategy, that is, wait and monitor locations where a victim's body is likely to appear. 'This monitoring work is far from easy. It demands patience, discipline and emotional strength as every passing moment carries a glimmer of hope,' he said. He also said certain locations are known as crocodile zones but that does not mean operations cannot be carried out there. 'Usually, when crocodiles hear the sound of a boat engine, they move away. The sound serves as a signal for them to retreat to another area but we still can't take anything for granted,' he said. According to him, caution is always a priority and any sign of danger, no matter how small, is taken into account before team members are allowed to dive. 'We will never let anyone enter the water if the risk is unpredictable. Strict procedures must be followed. Our team members' lives are not to be gambled with,' he said. EMOTIONAL BURDEN Beyond physical challenges, PPDA members often endure emotional strain, especially when faced with pleas like 'Please bring my child home'. 'Every time they dive into the water, they don't know what they'll find. Sometimes the body has been in the river for days and all that's left are the feet, hands or scraps of clothing. Even if the body is decomposed, decayed or unrecognisable, the divers still bring the remains back to shore,' he said. The stench of decomposing bodies, nauseating to most, has become an everyday reality for the team members, though the smell sometimes lingers on their clothing. 'Sometimes their operations involve wading through polluted, blackened water full of trash, toxic waste or sewage. All of this is part and parcel of the team's work. 'What's more, their duties are not limited to finding drowning victims. They also assist other agencies, like the police, in locating evidence submerged underwater,' he added. RISK OF DEATH Despite being considered an elite team, PPDA members are not immune to deadly risks while on duty. The tragedy that claimed six members of the PPDA on Oct 3, 2018, still haunts many of them and serves as a stark reminder of how close they are to death with every operation. The six divers drowned during an operation at night in search of a teenager who fell into a disused mining pool in Puchong, Selangor. That incident remains the worst tragedy in PPDA's history since its establishment. 'Fire department divers are trained for all situations, including night operations and handling unexpected events. But sometimes, unforeseen issues arise and at that moment, it's not just technical skill but also mental strength that's needed,' Farhan Sufyan said. He said although PPDA members are trained to dive in darkness, they generally avoid night dives unless absolutely necessary. 'We're not afraid of the darkness itself but of the hidden dangers such as sudden current shifts and floating debris that can't be seen. At night, even a small mistake can turn into a tragedy,' he said. RIGOROUS TRAINING To be a member of PPDA, firefighters must undergo specially designed basic training to ensure only the most qualified are chosen. 'Some of the tests they have to undergo include floating unaided for five minutes, jumping from a height of 10 metres and swimming nonstop for 600 metres. 'These tests are only to assess their basic eligibility. Only those who pass will proceed to a five-week intensive course at the Northern Zone Fire Academy in Tronoh, Perak,' he said, adding it is also important to remember that not everyone who passes the tests has the mental strength to bring back the remains of drowned victims. Every year, PPDA members must undergo a re-evaluation to assess their competence and health levels. 'Diving requires both physical and mental endurance, so every member must be 100 percent fit,' he said.
Express Tribune
25-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Petroleum dealers threaten strike
Petroleum Division said that it had received an application from Mari Petroleum Company for approval of Declaration of Commerciality and Field Development Plan for Hilal and Iqbal discoveries. PHOTO: file The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) has rejected the proposed amendment to the Petroleum Act of 1934 that gives additional powers to the civil bureaucracy to monitor petroleum dealers and threatened a nationwide strike. PPDA Chairman Abdul Sami Khan on Saturday addressed a press conference at the Karachi Press Club alongside other officials, including association leader Malik Khuda Bakhsh. Khan said that the federal government's amendments to petroleum laws are unacceptable and that the association will adopt a strict stance against changes to the Petroleum Act of 1934. He said the amendments would grant additional powers to assistant commissioners (ACs) and deputy commissioners (DCs) rather than the regulator, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA). "A meeting with the petroleum minister is scheduled for Monday, May 26, to discuss the proposed amendment. If our demands are not met during the meeting, we will proceed with a nationwide strike," he said. He acknowledged the need for legal changes to curb petroleum smuggling but expressed concern that fuel dealers would end up being unfairly targeted. "Despite assurances from the government, petroleum margins have not been increased for several years," he added. Malik Khuda Bakhsh said that under the proposed amendment to the Petroleum Act, ACs and DCs would have the authority to investigate any issues involving fuel stations. He said a fuel pump caught fire in the Shah Faisal area of Karachi and it was later discovered that the license had been issued by a DC. "This is an outdated law, and such powers should rest with a regulator like OGRA," he argued. Another association member, Raja Waseem, said that such extensive powers should not be handed to the bureaucracy. "Decisions made behind closed doors involve only oil marketing companies (OMCs), while we, the dealers, are excluded," he said.
The Star
20-05-2025
- The Star
Body of missing Rohingya girl found in Sungai Kerayong
Fire and Rescue Department's picture. KUALA LUMPUR: The body of a Rohingya girl, feared drowned after being swept away by strong currents in a drain near the MPAJ Hall in Kampung Cheras Baru, Ampang on Monday (May 19) night, was found on Tuesday (May 20) morning. Ampang Jaya police chief ACP Mohd Azam Ismail said the 10-year-old victim's body was discovered in Sungai Kerayong, Taman Cheras Indah, near here at 11.20am, about six kilometres from where she was reported to have fallen into a fast-flowing drain. "The body was taken to Ampang Hospital for a post-mortem," he said in a statement on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department's Water Rescue Team (PPDA) operations commander Mohamad Riduan Akhyar said the victim's body was found stuck along the riverbank and has been handed over to the police for further action. He said 11 members of the PPDA from the Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department, along with rescuers from the Cheras and Bandar Tun Razak Fire and Rescue Stations, resumed the search for the victim at around 9am on Tuesday. It was reported on Tueday that the victim, identified as Nur Aida Nur Muhammad, and another child aged 11, fell into the drain. Police received the report about the incident at 6.07pm. Public members rescued the other child, while the strong current swept away Nur Aida. It is understood that both children were on their way home from school when the incident occurred. Meanwhile, the victim's father, Nur Muhammad Tufail Ahmad, 36, expressed his deep regret over not being able to fulfil Nur Aida's wish for a family holiday. He said his eldest child of four often asked to go on holiday with the family, but her request could not be fulfilled due to work commitments. "A few days before the incident, she said she wanted to go out for a trip. I promised I would take her, but never got the chance. Now, I'm filled with regret," he said, holding back tears. He added that although he has come to terms with the loss, the absence of his daughter is deeply felt, especially given her helpful nature and how she often assisted her mother, who is currently in confinement after giving birth to their fourth child. He said at the time of the incident, Nur Aida was on her way home from school when she was swept away by strong currents along with a friend, who was rescued by members of the public. - Bernama
The Sun
20-05-2025
- The Sun
Body of missing Rohingya girl found in Sungai Kerayong
KUALA LUMPUR: The body of a Rohingya girl, feared drowned after being swept away by strong currents in a drain near the MPAJ Hall in Kampung Cheras Baru, Ampang last night, was found this morning. Ampang Jaya police chief ACP Mohd Azam Ismail said the 10-year-old victim's body was discovered in Sungai Kerayong, Taman Cheras Indah, near here at 11.20 am, some six kilometres from where she was reported to have fallen into a fast-flowing drain. 'The body was taken to Ampang Hospital for a post-mortem,' he said in a statement today. Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department's Water Rescue Team (PPDA) operations commander Mohamad Riduan Akhyar said the victim's body was found stuck along the riverbank and has been handed over to the police for further action. He said 11 members of the PPDA from the Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department, along with rescuers from the Cheras and Bandar Tun Razak Fire and Rescue Stations, resumed the search for the victim at around 9 am today. It was reported yesterday that the victim, identified as Nur Aida Nur Muhammad, and another child aged 11, fell into the drain. Police received the report about the incident at 6.07 pm. Public members rescued the other child, while the strong current swept away Nur Aida. It is understood that both children were on their way home from school when the incident occurred.
