Don’t take fire risk lightly: Deputy Premier warns against complacency

KUCHING (Feb 6): The public is encouraged to fully utilise opportunities to learn about fire safety and not take fire risks lightly, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.

He said community involvement, continuous training, and early preparedness are key pillars in ensuring public safety.

This, he added, was proven when six members of the public successfully extinguished a fire at a shophouse in Taman Lee Ling, thanks to their fire prevention training and awareness.

“We greatly appreciate their bravery, but more importantly they knew what needed to be done. This comes from training and community involvement.

“This is proof that programmes like this are very important,” he said when speaking at the Komuniti Prihatin, Kediaman Selamat Bersama Bomba Sarawak programme at a mall here.

Dr Sim pointed out that countries such as Japan and Taiwan place strong emphasis on community safety training, in contrast to some local residents who still take disaster preparedness lightly.

“When a fire occurs, we are quick to blame the Fire and Rescue Department for being slow, but in reality the fire service, including during the monsoon season, is always on the front line helping the public, carrying out early preparations and rescue operations,” he said.

On community safety, Dr Sim emphasised the importance of swimming skills as a basic survival skill, particularly for the younger generation living near Sungai Sarawak.

He also announced plans to create special protected areas, such as a ‘crocodile cage’ at Kampung Rantau Panjang, to enable residents — especially youths — to swim safely.

“Safety is not only the responsibility of agencies, but a shared responsibility. The close cooperation between the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), government agencies and the community is what ensures there is no loss of life in many disaster incidents in Sarawak,” he said.

Also present at the event was Bomba Sarawak director Jamri Masran and Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Tan Kai.