By Ling Hui
KUCHING, April 13: Sarawak requires at least 60 fire stations to adequately address the safety needs of its people, but there are only 39 established at the moment.
Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) director Datu Khirudin Drahman said this when highlighting Sarawak’s dire need for more fire stations in the region.
Concurring with Khirudin’s statement, Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian said Sarawak is constantly requesting the federal government for more fire stations, including for one in his own constituency of Batu Kawah.
He stressed that the model used in Peninsular Malaysia, which is based solely on population numbers, is not applicable to Sarawak and its unique situation.
“They (federal government) tend to plan based on population but it’s not applicable to Sarawak. Similar to health needs, Sarawakians in rural areas have as much rights as those in urban areas.
“The model in Peninsular Malaysia does not consider the factor of geography. That’s why we always emphasise that Sarawak needs to be in a special category that is not for West Malaysia,” said Dr Sim.
Dr Sim, who is also Minister for Public Health, Local Government and Housing, was at the Sutong Ramadan Bazaar earlier today to launch a joint event by Kuching South City Council (MBKS) and Sarawak Bomba.
MBKS, represented by its mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng, distributed 500 boxes of ‘bubur lambuk’ to hawkers and patrons at the Ramadan stalls.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Bomba officers did a fire demonstration on how to safely put out a small pan fire using wet towels.
They also reminded members of the public especially those celebrating Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri, to be cautious when operating the stove during this festive season. — DayakDaily
