CYBERJAYA: Fresh from spending the RM430 million allocation under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, the Fire and Rescue Department will ask the government for another RM300 million to buy equipment.

The new budget will be for 400 special boats, including hovercrafts, heavy-duty lorries to transport rescue equipment, and training for firemen, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said yesterday.

Ong said the department's allocation under the five-year Plan was spent "as soon as it was approved" so that it could be in a state of preparedness.

Reports that Malaysia would experience extreme weather patterns due to global warming required the department to be prepared for floods and more fires, besides fighting everyday emergencies.

"We cannot afford to wait until disasters strike. It is a matter of urgency to acquire the necessary equipment as soon as possible so that we can be prepared for any eventuality," Ong said after a handover ceremony of 100 aluminium rescue boats and 16 Kevlar composite boats to department director-general Datuk Hamzah Abu Bakar at the Fire and Rescue Department Cyberjaya station.

Ong said the 116 boats were ordered before the Dec 19 floods in Johor and other southern states. The boats will be sent to all fire and rescue stations nationwide.

"Even these boats are not enough. The department has requested another allocation of RM300 million which I will table at the Cabinet soon," he said.

One aluminium boat with fittings costs RM63,325, while a high-powered 200Hp Kevlar boat with auxiliary equipment costs RM453,000.

The 116 boats were purchased using the 9MP allocation, which was also spent on 345 fire engines, two helicopters and 10 units of high performance water pumps, which can divert water from streams or rivers for up to 2km.

Ong said in view of predictions of a pending drought, volunteer firemen across the country were being trained while the department is keeping an eye on peat soil hotspots in Selangor and Pahang.