SIBU: Sarawakians generally can afford expensive sofas, and televisions incorporating modern technology, for their homes but when it comes to equipping their premises with the all-important fire extinguishers, they have second thoughts.
But things are going to change soon.
The proposed amendments to the Sarawak Building Ordinance will make it compulsory for every household to have at least one fire extinguisher on the premises.
The amendments are expected to be tabled in the next State Legislative Assembly (DUN) session
Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department director Datuk Khirudin Drahman said the presence of fire extinguishers at home could help in extinguishing minor fires before they spread, especially in areas that are difficult for the Fire and Rescue Department to access.
“Most of the longhouses were saved from fires because residents had fire extinguishers in the longhouses.
“For fires that only involve a burning room or a kitchen, which accounts for two to five percent of the fire incidents, they were able to put them out by themselves with fire extinguishers,” he said at a press conference after officiating at the closing of the Celik-SURI programme at the Sungai Merah Fire Station here yesterday (July 5).
Though the benefits of equipping the house with fire extinguishers are obvious, the number of people in the state owning fire extinguishers, however, is still quite low.
“It is your duty to help fight fires. Do not wait until the law is enforced and only then you consider buying one.
“For the past eight years, I have been advising the people to equip their homes with fire extinguishers but with little success. Why go for expensive sofas, TV or expensive make-up kits but put fire extinguishers in the back seat. There is no law that say you must buy expensive sofa,” he quipped.
Earlier, Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian, who is also the Minister of Public Health, Housing, and Local Government, said the ordinance is being reviewed by the State Attorney General’s Office and relevant agencies such as the Fire and Rescue Department.
He said the ordinance will be presented at the DUN session scheduled for October.
