St. John Ambulance in Malaysia

St. John Association of Malaysia
 
Who We Are

St John Ambulance in Malaysia started in 1908. From 1908 to 1938, the movement was confined to the Army and the Railways. When the war clouds were gathering in 1938, the Government decided to form the St John Ambulance Brigade in all the large states.

The members were first recruited as Stretcher-Bearers. Once they were proficient, they attended First-Aid lectures. In early 1941, regular meetings and air raid practices were held. The Government also allocated First Aid Posts to the Divisions to carry out their duties.

In September 1941, the Government introduced the Medical Auxiliary Service and all the St John Ambulance Brigade members were automatically drafted into this service. In addition, they were permitted the right to use their St John Ambulance Brigade Uniform and hold ranks. This was an encouragement to all officers and members because of the recognition given to the movement. Furthermore, all members of the St John Ambulance Brigade were paid a war allowance that was given in 1946.

When the Japanese declared war on 8 December 1941, the St John Ambulance Brigade members did magnificent work in all the First Aid Posts. Many members withdrew to the South together with the Armed Forces when the Japanese Forces captured their towns. Many more served in the battle of Singapore and lost their lives for the Service to Humanity.

St John Ambulance was the only voluntary organisation in Malaya then that rendered medical services before and during the war.

The British Military Forces re-occupied Malaya in 1945 and re-organisation of all departments and institutions started. From 1959 onwards, the movement functioned in all the States in Malaya.

In 1972, the St John Ambulance Association and St John Ambulance Brigade within Malaysia, were amalgamated into one Corporation known as the St John Ambulance of Malaysia. This was made possible with the passing of the St John Ambulance of Malaysia (Incorporation) Act, 1972 by the Parliament.
Malaysia at a glance

Malaysia is a federation of thirteen states and three federal territories in Southeast Asia with a total landmass of 329,847 km². The capital city is Kuala Lumpur while Putrajaya is the seat of the federal government. The country is separated into two regions — Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo — by the South China Sea. Malaysia borders Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei and the Philippines.

The Federation of Malaya achieved independence from the United Kingdom on August 31, 1957. Singapore, Sarawak, British North Borneo and the Federation of Malaya federated to form Malaysia on September 16, 1963.

The population of Malaysia is approximately 25 million in 2007. The Malays forms the majority of the population while there are sizable Chinese and Indian communities. Islam is the largest as well as the official religion of the federation.

The Southeast Asian nation experienced an economic boom and underwent rapid development during the late 20th century and it is often referred to as a newly industrialized country. In 2006 Malaysia was ranked as 63rd in the United Nation’s Human Development Index.
 
What We Do 

Activities include:

Public Duties at major events
Caring for the Sick Training
First aid Training
CPR training for the public
Non-Emergency Ambulance Service in most states
Haemodialysis service in Malacca, Klang, and Penang
Home Nursing Service
Blood Donation Campaign
24 hour Emergency Ambulance Service
Highway Emergency Ambulance Service during Festive Seasons
AIDS programme
Anti-Drug Abuse programme
Youth Programme

There are over 50,000 St John Cadets and Juniors in Malaysia. Secondary school children are required to join a uniformed organisation so St John is very popular in schools.


Source: http://www.orderofstjohn.org/malaysia