By DayakDaily Team
BINTULU, July 4: Strengthening fire safety certification and human capital development in the firefighting sector is critical to safeguarding Bintulu, one of Malaysia’s top contributors to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP), says Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.
Citing a New Straits Times report dated Nov 3, 2024, Dr Sim highlighted the statement by Chief Statistician of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin, who listed Bintulu alongside Petaling, Johor Bahru, Klang, and Ulu Langat as the five districts contributing the most to Malaysia’s economy.
Dr noted that in 2020, Bintulu recorded the highest GDP per capita in the nation at RM227,834, followed by Barat Daya, Pulau Pinang at RM122,593.
He also drew attention to the Transitioning Industrial Clusters (TIC) initiative in Bintulu, which is projected to contribute an additional RM12 billion to Malaysia’s GDP.
According to a Bernama report on June 23, 2025, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the initiative is expected to generate 19,000 new job opportunities and reduce carbon emissions by 21.35 million tonnes by 2040.
The TIC has been adopted as a national agenda as it is a strategic move that brings together companies and public institutions to drive green economic growth, create high-skilled jobs, and reduce carbon emissions.
During the officiation of the 2025 Northern Zone Seminar of the Industry Lead Body (ILB) for the Firefighting Sector in Bintulu on Thursday (July 3), Dr Sim commended the commitment of some 500 participants to enhancing the firefighting sector’s human capital.
“These efforts go beyond just training and upskilling. They are about shaping policies, establishing standards, and embedding best practices that respond to current industry needs and future challenges.
“Most importantly, you are playing your part in nation-building—not only in maintaining Bintulu as Malaysia’s top GDP per capita district but also in helping Sarawak achieve a GDP of RM282 billion by 2030,” he said in a social media post.
He also extended appreciation to Bomba Malaysia and the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) for organising the seminar in Bintulu, calling it timely and essential for a region that plays such a vital economic role for both Sarawak and Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (Bomba) Deputy Director-General (Operations), Datuk Ir Ts Ahmad Izram Osman, revealed that nearly 40 per cent of the 9,321 designated premises nationwide had yet to obtain a valid Fire Certificate (FC) as of May 2025.
“To date, only 5,742 premises—representing 61.6 per cent—have been issued with valid certificates. This includes 8,595 private premises and 726 government facilities,” he said during the event, as reported by TVS.
In Sarawak, of the 497 identified premises—67 government and 430 privately owned—395 (or 79.5 per cent) have received their fire certificates.
Ahmad Izram expressed confidence that the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) would achieve full compliance by the end of the year.
He also stressed that compliance with both active and passive fire safety measures is essential to obtain certification. These include fire alarms, water sprinkler systems, emergency exits, fire-resistant doors, and trained in-house fire safety teams.
“The Fire Certificate plays a crucial role in ensuring the highest standards of fire safety, protecting lives and assets—especially in high-risk and essential premises,” he emphasised during a press conference after the seminar. — DayakDaily
