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DEPUTY Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called on all Members of Parliament to begin allocating part of their annual constituency funds towards equipping local Civil Defence Force (APM) student units starting next year.
“From next year, we will request that all MPs allocate a small portion of their provided funds for the purchase of uniforms for civil defence teams in their respective parliamentary constituencies,” he said.
Speaking after officiating the 16th National Commissioning Ceremony for the Students’ Civil Defence Corps (Kor SISPA) at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Zahid emphasised that the Civil Defence Force plays a vital role as the country’s third line of defence, complementing the military and police.
“Training provided to SISPA members is designed to instil discipline, strengthen resilience and build character among students,” he said.
The event, held in the presence of Tengku Permaisuri Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, saw 918 student cadet officers from higher education institutions commissioned as Junior Lieutenants.
Also in attendance were Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir, Deputy Chief Secretary to the Government Datuk Abd Shukor Mahmood, UiTM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs) Professor Dr Mohd Sazili Shahibi, and Civil Defence Force Chief Commissioner Datuk Aminurrahim Mohamed.
In addition to the cadet commissioning, 24 officers from participating institutions received the SISPA Best Cadet Officer Award, while one contingent received the prestigious Chief Commissioner’s Premier Trophy.
Zahid’s remarks underline the government’s push for stronger youth participation in national resilience and disaster readiness efforts through civil defence training. - August 16, 2025
