St. John Ambulance on standby for CNY emergencies

The St. John Ambulance (SJAM) Penang has announced its annual “Ops Selamat Ambulance Standby CNY 2025,” ensuring emergency response services during the festive period.

Running since 1995, the operation has become a vital safety net for Malaysians travelling in large numbers for family reunions.

This year’s Ops Selamat will cover two critical travel periods: January 25–27 for the pre-Chinese New Year rush and February 1–3 for post-celebration returns.

Volunteers, working shifts of 8 to 12 hours, will ensure round-the-clock readiness across 96 hours of service.

Enhanced services for festive travellers

SJAM will deploy six ambulances and two Medibikes, ensuring swift responses to emergencies.

Four ambulances will be stationed at the headquarters on Grove Road, with two positioned at the 24-hour Relau Hotspot 999 Base.

Medibikes, motorbikes equipped with emergency supplies like Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), will also be on standby at Relau.

The Medibikes play a crucial role in navigating heavy traffic and reaching emergencies faster.

Each ambulance team comprises four trained volunteers, serving as drivers, first-aid assistants, and crew members. Volunteers will receive allowances and meals as a token of appreciation for their efforts.

Dato’ Seri Dr Yee Thiam Sun, Penang State Commander, highlighted the operation’s evolution over the years:

“This operation marks another milestone in our commitment to public safety. Initially, we focused on major highways, but in 2024, we shifted our services closer to communities in Ayer Itam.

This community-focused approach has been impactful, improving our response times and better serving Penangites.”

The Relau Hotspot 999 Base will remain operational 24/7 throughout the festive period, ready to respond to emergencies at any time.

St. John: A legacy of community service

Karen Lim Jia Dih, SJAM Penang Deputy State Commander, shared insights into the organisation’s emergency response.

The Ayer Itam headquarters and Relau Hotspot collectively handle approximately 500 emergency calls monthly, responding to both public and private calls, including those through 999.

“Our response time for emergencies on Penang Island’s northeast and southeast districts averages 10 to 15 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

However, we currently do not cover emergencies on the mainland,” Lim explained.

SJAM’s services are free of charge, reflecting its commitment to public welfare. Dr Yee also urged the public to prioritise road safety:

“Festive periods often see a spike in road traffic accidents. While we are ready to assist, prevention is better. Drive carefully, exercise patience, and stay vigilant.”

Ops Selamat underscores SJAM Penang’s dedication to saving lives during high-risk festive seasons.

As thousands hit the roads this Chinese New Year, the presence of trained volunteers and well-equipped ambulances provides much-needed reassurance.

For the public, the message is clear: Stay safe, drive responsibly, and let organisations like St. John Ambulance continue their invaluable work.