By William Isau
SIBU, Feb 5: The Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government and the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) are currently in discussions regarding making it mandatory to have fire extinguishers in new houses under proposed amendments to the Sarawak Buildings Ordinance 1994.
Deputy Minister Datuk Michael Tiang said, this matter should be looked at carefully before being implemented.
“The ministry is still in discussion on this matter because we need to work with JBPM on how to enforce it.”
Tiang said when there is a very good law with good intentions, most importantly there must be very effective enforcement.
“And also, enforcement is not the solution to all kinds of challenges we face in society,” he said at a road safety campaign program held in conjunction with the 2024 Chinese New Year celebration here today.
According to Tiang, education is the best way to foster community awareness.
“So we have to say that the discussion may not be included in the presentation at the upcoming State Legislative Assembly (DUN) conference,” explained the Pelawan assemblyman.
Tiang said aside from determining the responsibility and mechanisms for enforcement, the important thing is to ensure compliance by the public. — DayakDaily
