JOHOR BAHRU, May 9 2026 — The K9 Tracker Dog Unit of the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) has welcomed a new ‘member’ after its Labrador, Lottie, gave birth to a male puppy on March 18.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the puppy, born to the dog under the care of fire officer Nelson Karupak, has been named ‘Brave’.
“I named this puppy ‘Brave’ in the hope that it will grow into a courageous and resilient four-legged hero in carrying out rescue duties,” he said when launching the World Firefighters’ Day Carnival 2026, themed ‘Bomba Tonggak Penyelamatan Negara’, at Plaza Angsana here today.
Also present were Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Aiman Athirah Sabu and JBPM director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad.
He said JBPM currently has only 34 tracker dogs and requires a further 56 to reach optimal operational capacity.
Recognising the importance of the K9 unit, Nga said the MADANI Government has approved an allocation of RM2.4 million to procure 16 new tracker dogs from the United Kingdom.
As a long-term strategic measure, he said JBPM is also planning to develop a K9 Operations Centre in Bertam, Penang, which will implement a domestic breeding programme.
The two-day World Firefighters’ Day 2026 celebration is organised in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the department.
The event is also enlivened by a static parade involving 550 participants and 50 fire engines and vehicles, including several belonging to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.
— BERNAMA
