JOHOR BAHRU, Oct 20 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) in Johor won first place in the Social Track category of the 2026 Prime Minister's Department (JPM) Innovation Competition.
Its winning entry was the Emergency Action Programme System (PROTEK), which focuses on the safety of vulnerable groups during the Northeast Monsoon.
APM Johor said in a statement that the system, developed in collaboration with Politeknik Mersing Johor (PMJ) since April 2025, was designed to help vulnerable groups obtain assistance during floods.
Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar presented the RM5,000 cash prize and certificate to APM Johor at the JPM Innovation and Excellence Day at Cyber Event Hall, Cyberjaya, Selangor, today.
Meanwhile, project leader Lt Col (PA) Mohd Huzaimi Raup said the PROTEK system was developed in phases through several improvement stages to ensure it meets the needs of users and improves the effectiveness of emergency assistance delivery.
"This collaborative approach to system development also opened space for the sharing of expertise and ideas between APM Johor and Politeknik Mersing Johor in producing innovative solutions that meet the real needs of the community.
"PROTEK focuses on the needs of vulnerable groups who may face difficulty obtaining assistance or evacuating during floods.
“It is hoped that this initiative will help improve preparedness, facilitate identifying assistance needs and strengthen emergency action management," he said in a statement today.
According to the statement, winning the Innovation Champion title in the Social Track category also reflects the potential of high-impact innovation oriented towards public wellbeing, in line with the need to strengthen disaster management that is more systematic, responsive and inclusive.
The achievement is also hoped to serve as a catalyst for expanding and improving PROTEK in the future, thereby extending its benefits to vulnerable groups who need protection and assistance during disasters.
-- BERNAMA