"Saving Lives Comes First": SMART Team Joins Myanmar SAR Mission, Forgoing Raya with Families

SUBANG, March 30 — Members of the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) remain highly motivated and committed to their mission in Myanmar, despite being away from their families during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.

One of the team members, PBK I Mohd Idris Hassan, shared that duty takes precedence over personal celebrations, even though he had been preparing to return to his hometown in Tanah Merah, Kelantan when he received his deployment orders on Friday, March 28.

“Within an hour of receiving the instruction, I was already on my way to SMART headquarters to prepare for the mission. In 2023, I had to decline a mission to Turkiye due to my wife’s illness, but this time, I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to help those in need. Alhamdulillah, my wife understands the nature of my job and the urgency of this mission,” he said when met at the SMART personnel send-off event at the Subang Air Base.

For PBK II Nik Mohd Farihan Nik Zawawi, 38, this marks his first overseas search and rescue (SAR) mission since joining SMART four years ago.

“As rescue personnel, it is our responsibility to search for disaster victims. I’m prioritizing this mission, and Insya-Allah, when I return, I can celebrate Aidilfitri with my wife and three children in Kota Bharu,” said Nik Mohd Farihan, who is also attached to the Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Headquarters when not on SMART duties.

Meanwhile, PB Avlyanie Moidi, 28, from Tuaran, Sabah, is the sole female personnel in this mission and takes great pride in representing Malaysia in the humanitarian effort, despite being away from her husband and child.

“I was informed to be ready by 2 pm on Friday. Though it’s difficult to be apart from my family, I am committed to this responsibility. My husband reminded me to stay safe and focus on my task,” she said, adding that she has been with SMART for four years.

A total of 50 SMART personnel departed for Naypyidaw, Myanmar, this morning as part of a humanitarian mission and SAR operations following the recent earthquake.

The team is led by Senior Superintendent of Fire 1 (PgKB 1) Mohamad Hafiezul Abdul Halim and consists of 16 members from the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), 13 from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), and 21 from JBPM.

Equipped with SAR tools, including two five-tonne trucks and a four-wheel-drive vehicle, the SMART team, under the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), departed aboard two Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) A400M aircraft from the RMAF Subang Air Base at 9:30 am and 10:00 am respectively. — Bernama