History of St.john

The history of St. John Ambulance in the present day Malaysia started in 1908 with the formation of St. John Ambulance Association ("SJAA"); however, the movement was confined to the Army and the Railways till 1938. When the war clouds were gathering in 1938, the authorities decided to form the St. John Ambulance Brigade ("SJAB") in all larger states. Brigade members were first recruited as stretcher-bearers. Once they were proficient, they attended first aid lectures. In 1941, regular meetings and air raid practices were held.^[1]
In September 1941, the authorities introduced the Medical Auxiliary Service and all Brigade members were automatically drafted into this service. When the Japanese Forces raided the Malay Peninsular from 8 December 1941, the Brigade members did magnificent work in all the first aid posts. Many Brigade members withdrew to the south together with the British Forces as their towns were captured one after another by the Japanese Forces. Many more served in the Battle of Singapore and lost their lives for the Service of Mankind. St. John Ambulance was the only voluntary organisation in the Malay Peninsular that rendered medical services before and during the Second World War.^[1]
The return of the British after the end of the Second World War has resulted in the re-organisation of many institutions and that contributed to the expansion of SJAA and SJAB to all states by 1959.
In a move to further strengthen the operations of SJAA and SJAB, particularly after the independence of Malaya in 1957 and the subsequent merger between Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak (to form Malaysia) in 1963, the Government of Malaysia decided to amalgamate SJAA and SJAB in Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak 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 Federal Parliament. The Royal Assent was granted on 23 March 1972.^[2]