KUCHING: Six residents from Ulu Krian longhouse in Saratok were given the ‘Hero Bomba’ award for their part in putting out a fire on Wednesday (Sept 14).
The six were Joan Jantai, Petrus Abert Kendawang, Abednego Figo August, Johnny Jerah and Galau Edward Sie. They acted quickly to prevent a fire that broke out in the afternoon from spreading.
Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian presented them with the award during a Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) event held on Thursday (Sept 15) at the Bomba headquarters in Jalan Setia Raja here.
“Everyone should participate in firefighting. I encourage the public to learn from Bomba and at the same time, I applaud the quick action by the Hero Bomba for putting out the fire,” said Dr Sim.
He also praised Sarawak Bomba director Datuk Khiruddin Drahman for initiating numerous awareness programmes on fire safety.
“Because it’s very important when a fire occurs, most people will be in a daze and will not react quickly enough and by the time, it is already too late.
“It’s not because they (Bomba) are not doing anything, but the public as a whole must be willing to step up and step forward, they can approach Bomba to teach them how to do CPR and some firefighting techniques.
“Looking ahead, some local councils and people’s representatives can get involved so we can promote more programmes further.”
On another note, when asked about the Malaysia Day celebrations, Dr Sim said this was a time to reflect on what has been planned, what had been achieved and what had yet to be achieved.
He went on to say that Sabah and Sarawak still did not have what they were meant to receive when they joined Malaysia.
“And so, yes it’s a day for us to reassess what we have achieved, but also what we have failed to achieve, so that’s how important it is.
“Otherwise, people tend to forget, and after 59 years, the generation that battled for Malaysia’s formation is no longer alive.”
