Deputy Premier reminds public to increase awareness on fire safety, prevention

KUCHING (Sept 29): The public is reminded to increase their awareness of fire safety and prevention to avoid unwanted incidents, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.

He said public education on fire prevention must be taken seriously, as the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) faces numerous challenges in providing prompt fire services such as Sarawak’s vast geography, varied terrain and increasing risks posed by the petrochemical industry.

“Fires can start easily, but preventing them requires much more effort. Therefore, the public must learn and take this issue seriously.

“One of the new challenges in Sarawak is the petrochemical industry. Hence, it’s not just Bomba that must stay vigilant; everyone should be, especially considering the recent fire incidents involving Press Metal, OCI Malaysia and Trienekens landfill in Bintulu this year,” he said after officiating the JPBM-Sri Outreach Programme at SJK Chung Hua No 4 here today.

Also present were Bomba Malaysia director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad, Malaysian Fire Safety Division director Datuk Khirudin Drahman Husaini, acting Bomba Sarawak director Tiong Ling Hii, SRI Managing Director Datuk Ong Yow Siang, and SJK Chung Hua No 4 principal Pui Jin Tung.

Dr Sim added with extreme climate change, bush and peatland fires are expected.

In this regard, he commended Bomba’s proactive efforts in organising the programme and congratulated them on conducting over 14,000 fire awareness campaigns nationwide.

“This outreach programme is vital as students can bring the knowledge home and share it with their families. Preventing fires requires cooperation, not finger-pointing or blaming others. If everyone knows what to do, fires can be prevented,” he said.

During the event, Dr Sim also distributed 10 fire extinguishers to each of the 15 Chinese primary schools in the Kuching division.