AS early as 7.30am, over 500 members of St John Ambulance Malaysia (SJAM), clad in their white uniforms, lined up for a parade at Setia City Park.

They were there to celebrate the 105th anniversary of SJAM.

SJAM state commander Datuk Yeo Kim Thong said that SJAM Selangor is 79 years old.

“We will be celebrating our 80th anniversary next year with a big do,” he said. The guest-of-honour was Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya who inspected members on parade.

The parade was to honour the Nothern Selangor Area and Western Selangor Area for achieving ISO 9001:2008 certification.

Nine members were awarded the Grand Prior award at the event.

Among the recipients was Jeffry Ong Hong Kah, 22, who said that he first joined SJAM when he was in secondary school nine years ago.

“My sister encouraged me to join the St John Ambulance,” said the sales executive.

He said had needed to collect 12 badges by the age of 21 to receive the award.

The youngest recipient, Wong Wai Loo, 19, said that he was honoured to receive the award.

“Next year, I will have to focus on my studies as I am in Form six,” he said.

“This is my passion, I joined St John because I wanted to help and learn first aid,” he said.