SIBU: High-traffic public spaces here will soon be equipped with life-saving Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) as part of an aggressive push to elevate emergency readiness across local communities.
The initiative was announced by Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng Jin Ek during the launch of the World First Aid Day 2026 celebration, organised by the Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) Sibu Branch at a prominent hotel here today.
Under the sponsorship, two AED units will be installed at strategic public hubs: the Sibu Central Market and the Tiong Hua Road Temporary Market. The installation is a joint collaborative effort between the N.51 Bukit Assek Service Centre, MRCS Sibu Branch, and the Lions International Mandarin Sibu Chapter, with operational details currently being finalised alongside the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC).
Speaking as the guest of honour, Chieng stressed that equipping public spaces with emergency cardiac equipment serves a dual purpose—providing an instant safety net while inspiring the public to pick up crucial lifesaving skills like CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and basic first aid.
“A safe community is not simply one where emergencies do not happen,” Chieng declared. “It is a community where ordinary people are prepared to respond when crisis strikes. When an emergency occurs, the first few minutes are critical—and those already at the scene are often the ones positioned to save a life before an ambulance arrives.”
Echoing the call for universal preparedness, MRCS Sibu Branch chairman, Chua Hiong Kee, emphasised that first aid should no longer be viewed strictly as the domain of medical professionals or a technical skill confined to a classroom.
“First aid is an expression of humanity,” Chua addressed attendees during his opening remarks. “It is the courage to step forward, the confidence to remain calm, and the willingness to help another person when they need us most.”
Highlighting this year’s global theme, “First Aid in Migration Contexts,” Chua called on residents across all walks of life to actively enrol in practical training, pointing out that community resilience relies heavily on widespread household preparation.
“An emergency can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. The person standing closest to the victim won’t always be a doctor, nurse, or paramedic—it may be you,” Chua warned.
He highlighted that a school with trained students is safer, a workplace with trained staff is better prepared, and a family with first aid knowledge faces emergencies with confidence.
To drive this message into everyday households, MRCS Sibu Branch officially invited members of the public to join their newly launched “First Aider in Every Home” community training course, designed to equip everyday citizens with CPR, AED operation, bleeding control, and emergency self-protection skills.
The World First Aid Day 2026 event brought together key community stakeholders, NGO representatives, first responder units, and volunteers. Also present was MRCS Sarawak Chapter director Chai King Sing, along with MRCS Sibu Branch advisor Datuk Lau Ngie Hua.
Alongside official addresses, the celebration featured a health screening campaign, interactive first aid booths, and public awareness demonstrations aimed at bringing emergency preparedness directly to the grassroots level.
