KUCHING: Several areas in the Tanjong Manis are in dire need of fire station facilities, such as fire engines, said its parliamentarian Yusuf Abdul Wahab.
Yusuf hoped that the allocation provided by the government which amounts to RM50 million for the Malaysian Armed Forces, the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) and the People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) can be channelled to the Sarikei Fire and Rescue Station that is in dire financial need to buy additional fire engines.
Citing an example, he said a recent fire incident at Kampung Seberang Sarikei razed the longhouse as there were lack of fire engines.
“Unfortunately, the longhouse could not be saved. This incident happened in Sarikei town, what more if there is a fire far from town where there is no nearby fire stations in Pulau Bruit and other longhouse areas,” he said when debating on the Supply Bill (Budget 2023) in the Dewan Rakyat recently.
According to Yusuf, the areas in the outskirts need a new fire station or the establishment of a volunteer fire brigade and basic fire equipment.
“I hope the Ministry of Local Government Development will take note because a fire like this can happen at any time,” he said.
