Telang Usan rep urges longhouse folk to keep fire extinguishers

KUCHING (Dec 15): Telang Usan assemblyman Dato Dennis Ngau has urged communities living in longhouses to consider keeping a fire extinguisher in every unit.

He made the appeal during his speech at the Sarawak Kayan Women Association (PWKS) annual dinner on Sunday, highlighting the frequent fire incidents affecting longhouses in rural areas.

“Time and again, we are shocked by news of fires in longhouses. Recently, in our area, a fire destroyed an entire longhouse with 22 units in the blink of an eye.

“In such situations, there is often little we can do to save the property,” he said.

He explained that many of these incidents start in the kitchen, often when a resident forgets to turn off the stove, and stressed the importance of vigilance.

“I am promoting the idea that each house should have a fire extinguisher. The price is only about RM150,” he said.

In a separate note, ahead of the upcoming Christmas celebrations and the festive season, Dennis urged urban-based communities to return to their villages so that younger generations remain connected to their roots.

“Please bring your children back to the village so they can see the birthplace of their ancestors.

“On the part of the government, we are working to improve our road systems, hoping it will make it easier for those who live in the city to return to their villages,” he added.