Astra For Disaster and Emergency Communication (ADEC)

THE Northen Region Malay Amateur Radio Association (Astra) plans to set up an Astra For Disaster and Emergency Communication (ADEC) team in each state to help the authorities during calamities.

Association vice-president Saidin Ahmad said each team, which comprised a platoon of 33 members, would provide support to the authorities by relaying real time communications on the situation at the site of any disasters when commercial communication was unavailable.

“This is part of our efforts to help victims of calamities and the authorities. We hope to set up the team next year.

“We hope to start the ball rolling in Penang first.

“We will set up a team in each state in the peninsula.

“We will set up teams in Sabah and Sarawak at a later stage,” he said in an interview.

Saidin said members of the association were linked to Rescue 991 and it would be easier for them to provide and relay any message if they came across any tragedy or mishap.

He said members of the association had also provided communications assistance to the authorities during the big floods in Johor a few years back.

“We hope to continue our efforts to help the people and the authorities.

“In fact, we have discussed this proposal many times and it is timely now for us to activate ADEC nationwide,” he added.

Saidin, who is also ADEC commander, said the association members comprised professionals, including journalists and engineers, adding that most of them had volunteered in helping victims of flash floods nationwide.

Source: http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/11/5/north/2362585&sec=north