National Day: APM to show off two vintage vehicles during parade

KUALA LUMPUR - Two classic vehicles belonging to the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) will make a comeback at the 2023 National Day parade at Dataran Putrajaya, this Thursday.

These two assets - a Bedford fire truck that was used by APM during its early days when it was known as the Department of Civil Defence, and a Ford Thames ambulance - have not been used for more than 50 years.

APM Chief Commissioner Datuk Aminurrahim Mohamed said to enable the two vehicles, which were last used in the 1970s, to be on the road again, they were sent for overhaul and repair.

He said the restoration of the Bedford truck was carried out by students of the GiatMara training centre in Kampar, Selangor, since last July, while the ambulance was repaired by an appointed private company.

"Repair work on these two vintage vehicles was completed recently and they are now ready to be showcased to the public during the National Day parade on Aug 31.

"The main purpose of restoring these two assets is to recall the times when they were used to serve the community a long time ago," he told Bernama here today.

Aminurrahim said APM will also display other assets belonging to the agency, including four-wheel drive ambulances, water rescue assets such as the 32-foot long boats and jet skis, as well as the Rhino, which is a Special Civil Defence Force Rescue Vehicle (Paspa) designed specifically for use during disasters.

"There’ll also be an asset called Pigeon, which is a Paspa communication vehicle that is driven to disaster areas to obtain and deliver the latest disaster information,” he added.

Aminurrahim said during the parade, APM members would also wear the various uniforms used by the agency since its establishment.

This is to show that APM is now a new agency, but established in 1952 even before the country’s independence,” he said, adding that a total of 294 APM members, including band members, are taking part in the parade. - BERNAMA