By Nancy Nais
KUCHING, March 28: Fifteen Islamic educational institutions (IPIs) in Sarawak have formed ‘Skuad Bomba’ to help protect tahfiz and religious schools from fire.
Sarawak Islamic Council (MIS) president Datuk Misnu Taha said they were collaborating with the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) to form such squads in all registered IPI in the state.
Eleven IPIs and four orphanages (Peryatim) participated in the programme, today.
Among the activities carried out were inspection of premises, fire safety seminar, training, setting up Skuad Bomba and retraining session.
Speaking at the commissioning of the event, Misnu said another 19 IPIs would be set up, and they would participate in the Skuad Bomba programme this year.
“All Islamic religious schools and tahfiz centres are required to register with MIS as it is mandatory under Section 82 of the Islamic Council Ordinance 2011. Since 2014, we have 27 IPIs that are registered with MIS.
“One of the compulsory requirements is that IPI must obtain fire and safety approval from Bomba,” said Misnu.
Thanking Bomba for regularly checking on IPI and tahfiz centres, Misnu said regular checks would ensure that best practices on fire safety were adhered to.
At the same event, state fire chief Khirudin Drahman urged other IPIs to follow suit in forming their own Skuad Bomba.
“The fire squads will see students and wardens learn fire safety measures — both in theory and practical — and gain knowledge on how to respond to emergencies. The squads will serve as the first responders in the event of a fire,” he explained.
The department has inspected 27 tahfiz centres and Peryatim on safety standards, and they were found to be at a satisfactory level.
Khirudin also urged operators of unregistered IPIs in the state to come forward so that his office could assist with implementing safety measures. — DayakDaily
