CYBERJAYA: The Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) returned home to a hero's welcome this evening after completing their search and rescue (SAR) mission in Myanmar.

They were reunited with their families in an emotional gathering at their headquarters in Pulau Meranti, here.

As the convoy rolled into the base, family members who had been waiting eagerly rushed forward with cheers and tears, embracing their loved ones who had spent over a week in the disaster-stricken region.

The 50-member team had earlier landed at the Subang Air Base at 5pm aboard two Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Airbus A400M aircraft, bringing home 31 tonnes of rescue equipment and vehicles.

Their return was welcomed by Armed Forces Chief General Datuk Mohd Nizam Jaafar and National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) director-general Datuk Khairul Shahril Idrus, along with representatives from the Foreign Ministry, Nadma and the armed forces.

Nadma deputy director-general (operations) Datuk Dr Abdul Gapar Abu Bakar said the MAS-01 SMART team said upon arrival, all team members underwent health screenings and were reported to be in good physical and mental condition.

"The team, which arrived in Myanmar on March 30, was deployed to the Sagaing sector, where they were the only international SAR team assigned.

"During their deployment, the team operated at 11 worksites, many of which involved complex collapsed structures that local rescuers were unable to access.

"The team's efforts led to the rescue of a 47-year-old man who had been buried for more than 72 hours at one of the sites. They also recovered the bodies of 10 other victims, including four children," he said at a press conference at the SMART headquarters, here.

He added that the team worked tirelessly under extremely hot weather conditions and frequent aftershocks throughout the mission.

He also praised the elite rescue team for their resilience, expertise, rapid deployment capabilities and the use of advanced equipment, adding that their success further strengthened Malaysia's reputation in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts.

He said the team's sacrifice was even more meaningful as they were deployed just a day before Hari Raya Aidilfitri on April 1. "Their performance demonstrated Malaysia's unwavering commitment to humanity and regional solidarity in disaster management," he said.

​On March 28, 2025, a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar, with the epicenter near Mandalay. As of yesterday, reports said the death toll has risen to at least 3,471, with thousands more injured and many still missing.

KUALA LUMPUR: "We can feel aftershocks in Myanmar almost every day, no less than magnitude 3.0 and the highest felt was magnitude 5.2, but they never weakened the spirit of the MAS-01 team in their efforts to rescue as many victims as possible."

That was among the experiences shared by the MAS-01 Contingent Commander of the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) Operation Myteam Relief Mohamad Hafiezul Abdul Halim throughout the operation in the disaster area in Myanmar, especially in the difficult rubble area.

"The team has an application that can detect the magnitude of the earthquake which will be updated daily. As a level of preparation (if an aftershock occurs), we take the approach of staying on the ground, setting up our own tents and so on to reduce the impact of the disaster.

"Thankfully, we went and returned safely. The assignment was to the three affected districts, namely Mandalay, Naypyidaw and Sagaing. Alhamdulillah, the cooperation from Myanmar, especially the Local Disaster Management Authority (LEMA), was very good," he told reporters at the MAS-01 Team Welcome Ceremony at the SMART Pulau Meranti Headquarters, here yesterday.

A total of 50 members and officers of the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) departed for Naypyidaw, Myanmar on March 30 for a humanitarian aid mission and to participate in search and rescue (SAR) operations for earthquake victims in the country.

All of them safely returned at about 5pm this afternoon at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Subang Air Base and their arrival was welcomed by Armed Forces chief, General Datuk Mohd Nizam Jaffar and NADMA director-general Datuk Khairul Shahril Idrus.

Sharing the challenges faced by the MAS-01 team, Mohamad Hafiezul, who is also the Senior Superintendent of Fire Department 1 (PgKB 1), said the hot and dry weather which reached 41 degrees Celsius, was quite challenging but it did not dampen the spirits of the two groups who work in shifts every day.

"The hours of duty are 8am to 1pm and 1pm to 6pm. Our success was when we managed to find a survivor, a 47-year-old man who was trapped for six days under the rubble. We understand he is a principal at a school," he said.

The death toll from the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar 10 days ago has risen to at least 3,514, with 210 people still missing, according to figures released by Myanmar's military government on Monday, German news agency (dpa) reported.

Most of the casualties were reported around Mandalay, the country's second largest city, where more than 2,100 deaths have been confirmed.

Meanwhile, NADMA deputy director-general of Operations Datuk Dr Abdul Gapar Abu Bakar in his speech at the ceremony said that upon landing, the MAS-01 team had undergone health screening and all of them were physically and mentally healthy.

"During the six-day assignment, the team conducted SAR operations at 11 worksites, most of which were beyond the capabilities of the equipment and complex rubble areas.

"In addition to one survivor, the team also removed 10 deceased victims including four children. The team members are 'national ambassadors' who managed to be mobilised in a short period of time with thorough preparation," he said.

Asked if there might be a second mission, he said that for now there is no need and this operational mission is over, but it would be considered if there is a request.

."..if there is a request, we might follow up, but the next stage (in Myanmar) is more of a post-disaster phase," he said. – BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, 8 April: “Hampir setiap hari kami merasai gempa susulan di Myanmar, tidak kurang daripada magnitud 3.0 dan paling tinggi dirasai magnitud 5.2, namun ia tidak sesekali melemahkan semangat pasukan MAS-01 dalam usaha menyelamatkan seberapa mangsa yang boleh.”

Itu antara pengalaman yang dikongsikan Komander Kontinjen MAS-01 Pasukan Mencari dan Menyelamat Khas Malaysia (SMART) Operasi Myteam Relief Mohamad Hafiezul Abdul Halim sepanjang tempoh operasi di kawasan bencana Myanmar terutamanya di kawasan runtuhan yang kompleks.

“Pasukan mempunyai aplikasi yang boleh mengesan magnitud gempa bumi yang akan dikemas kini setiap hari. Sebagai tahap persediaan (jika berlaku gempa susulan), kita ambil pendekatan tinggal atas padang, pasang khemah sendiri dan sebagainya untuk kurangkan impak bencana.

“Syukur, kita pergi dan balik dalam keadaan selamat. Penugasan adalah ke tiga daerah terjejas iaitu Mandalay, Naypyidaw dan Sagaing. Alhamdullilah kerjasama daripada pihak Myanmar terutamanya Pihak Berkuasa Pengurusan Bencana Tempatan (LEMA) amat baik,” katanya kepada pemberita pada Majlis Sambutan Pasukan MAS-01 di Markas SMART Pulau Meranti, di sini pada Isnin.

Seramai 50 anggota dan pegawai Agensi Pengurusan Bencana Negara (NADMA) berlepas ke Naypyidaw, Myanmar pada 30 Mac lepas bagi misi bantuan kemanusiaan serta menyertai operasi mencari dan menyelamat (SAR) mangsa gempa bumi di negara itu.

Kesemua mereka selamat kembali ke tanah air kira-kira 5 petang tadi di Pangkalan Udara Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM) Subang dan ketibaan mereka disambut oleh Panglima Angkatan Tentera Jeneral Datuk Mohd Nizam Jaffar dan Ketua Pengarah NADMA Datuk Khairul Shahril Idrus.

Berkongsi cabaran yang dihadapi pasukan MAS-01, Mohamad Hafiezul yang juga Penguasa Kanan Bomba 1 (PgKB 1) berkata cuaca panas dan kering mencecah 41 darjah Celcius agak menyukarkan namun tidak melemahkan semangat dua kumpulan yang bertugas secara bergilir-gilir setiap hari.

“Waktu tugasan adalah 8 hingga 1 tengah hari dan 1 tengah hari hingga 6 petang. Kejayaan kami adalah apabila berjaya menemukan mangsa hidup, seorang lelaki berumur 47 tahun yang terperangkap enam hari di bawah runtuhan. Kami difahamkan beliau guru besar di sebuah sekolah,” katanya.

Angka kematian akibat gempa bumi 7.7 magnitud yang melanda Myanmar 10 hari lepas meningkat kepada sekurang-kurangnya 3,514, dengan 210 orang lagi masih hilang, menurut data yang dikeluarkan oleh kerajaan tentera Myanmar pada Isnin, lapor agensi berita Jerman (dpa).

Kebanyakan korban dilaporkan di sekitar Mandalay, bandar kedua terbesar di negara itu, iaitu lebih 2,100 kematian telah disahkan.

Sementara itu, Timbalan Ketua Pengarah Operasi NADMA Datuk Dr Abdul Gapar Abu Bakar dalam ucapannya pada majlis itu berkata sebaik mendarat, pasukan MAS-01 menjalani saringan kesihatan dan kesemua mereka sihat dari segi fizikal dan mental.

“Sepanjang tempoh penugasan selama enam hari, pasukan telah menjalankan operasi SAR di 11 tapak kerja kebanyakannya luar keupayaan peralatan dan kawasan runtuhan yang kompleks.

“Selain seorang mangsa hidup, pasukan juga mengeluarkan 10 mangsa yang telah meninggal dunia termasuk empat kanak-kanak. Mereka adalah ‘duta negara’ yang berjaya diatur gerak dalam tempoh masa yang singkat dengan persediaan rapi,” katanya.

Ditanya sama ada mungkin terdapat misi kedua, beliau berkata buat masa ini tiada sebarang keperluan dan misi operasi kali ini tamat namun akan dipertimbangkan sekiranya ada permintaan.

“….jika ada permintaan mungkin kita akan susuli tetapi peringkat seterusnya (di Myanmar) adalah lebih kepada pascabencana sahaja,” katanya. – TVS

DAMAGE to homes in the Putra Heights gas pipeline fire has been estimated at RM65.4 million, including the cost of wiring repairs.

Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the Fire and Rescue Department saved assets worth RM285.9 million during the incident. He said inspections were conducted on 437 homes.

He said the homes have been divided into three levels of damage — completely destroyed (more than 40 per cent structural damage), partially damaged (less than 40 per cent structural damage) and affected but not burnt (no structural damage).

“Of the total, 81 homes are completely destroyed, 81 are partially damaged and 57 are affected but structurally intact,” he said at a press conference here yesterday. He said 218 homes were inspected and found to be unaffected.

He said up to 11am yesterday, 151 homes had been officially declared safe for reoccupation. “Owners and residents of these homes have been allowed to return. Some homes may have sustained minor damage that owners must repair themselves.

“The list of victims was finalised at 6pm yesterday (Sunday) after registration was closed at noon. “We recorded 613 households from 437 affected homes. This includes tenants occupying rented rooms or units within registered or identified properties.”

He said authorities had extended the inspection radius from the initial 290m to 325m. He said homeowners whose properties were destroyed in the explosion would get RM10,000 in cash aid, starting yesterday.

RM5,000 would be provided by Petronas and RM5,000 by the federal government, as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on April 1.

Owners of properties that were affected but not destroyed will receive RM5,000, with RM2,500 from Petronas and RM2,500 from the federal government.

“From this evening (yesterday), 219 families that have registered with the Disaster Management Unit will receive aid from the federal government and Petronas through the state government,” Amirudin said.

He said the state government would provide RM2,000 in rental aid a month for six months to 613 affected households.

The initiative is expected to cost the state government RM7.35 million. The list of beneficiaries will be finalised next week.

He said the state decided to provide cash aid after receiving feedback that the Smart Sewa housing units in Kota Warisan, Sepang, were too far for many victims.

“Victims staying at the Smart Sewa units or other rental homes may use the funds provided.

“We plan to finalise the list and disburse the aid to household heads by next week, so they can begin securing temporary accommodation while awaiting repairs or reconstruction of their homes.”

Amirudin said 78 Airbnb units would be available from tomorrow, with the platform offering a two-month free stay.

Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said he would meet Anwar to discuss the best formula to help victims.

“An announcement will be made once a decision has been reached,” he said after his keynote address at the 14th Affordable Housing Project Conference in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.