KUCHING: Sarawak to introduce a legislation later this year to improve fire safety of buildings and houses.
Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian said an amendment to the Sarawak Building Ordinance 1994 will be tabled during the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting in November.
He said his ministry is working closely with the State Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba Sarawak) and professional bodies involving architects, surveyors, housing and property developers on the matter.
“We want to get every household to have a smoke detector because it is an important preventative measure for fire safety. We always say that ‘prevention is better than cure’ in medicine, this is also applicable to fire safety.
“Bomba Sarawak and the various professional associations have put in so much effort to ensure the safety of buildings. I told the State Attorney General (SAG) that I would like to table the Bill in May, but it is most likely to be in November’s DUN sitting instead,” he said.
He said this when officiating at the launching of fire safety campaign in conjunction with Hari Gawai celebration and pre-launching of the charity Malaysia Day Community Fun Run at Farley Mall today.
Dr Sim, who is also the Minister of Public Health, Local Government and Housing, said the state government will continue to do its part to enhance safety of buildings as Sarawak has autonomy on its Building Ordinance.
“As the minister in charge, it is part of my job to constantly get my officers to review all the laws and bring any matters up for any amendments.
“I am grateful to Bomba Sarawak and the professional associations for spending time and putting in efforts to look through the Building Ordinance so that it is updated,” he said.
Touching on the proposal for every household to be equipped with a smoke detector, Dr Sim said there is no specific brand required for the equipment.
“You can instal any brand of smoke detector, as long as it is certified by Bomba Malaysia and Bomba Sarawak,” he added.
