PORTAL RASMI
JABATAN PERDANA MENTERI
AGENSI PENGURUSAN BENCANA NEGARA
JABATAN PERDANA MENTERI
AGENSI PENGURUSAN BENCANA NEGARA
From tragedy to triumph: How SMART became a global search and rescue force
- Admin UKK
- Berita
KUALA LUMPUR: For nearly three decades, the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) has been at the forefront of search and rescue (SAR) operations and humanitarian aid efforts, not only within the country but also globally.
Established on Aug 1, 1995, SMART was formed in response to the tragic collapse of the Highland Towers condominium in December 1993. The disaster highlighted the urgent need for a highly trained and well-equipped rescue team to handle large-scale emergencies in Malaysia.
Operating under the National Security Council, SMART was initially composed of personnel from three key agencies: the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) and the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM).
Since 2015, SMART has been placed under the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA). As of this year, the elite team consists of 138 personnel from these three organisations.
Malaysian history books
SMART has since evolved into a world-class elite force, achieving the prestigious status of a Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Team from the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) under the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in 2016.
SMART holds the distinction of being the only ASEAN team, the second in Asia after Japan, and the 46th in the world to receive this recognition, allowing it to conduct independent SAR operations.