BY ALLAN JAY & NURFARAHIN OKI
KUCHING: The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) is hoping for a fire-free Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration this year.
Its director, Datuk Khirudin Drahman @ Hussaini said to ensure that, an awareness campaign was implemented every year by emphasising the ‘3L’ syndrome aspects of ‘lupa, lalai, leka’ (forgetfulness, negligence and carelessness).
“We want to change the public’s perception and view that fires are left to be dealt with by Bomba or the government. What is important is that our actions caused them.
“If our actions are right, then we save ourselves; if wrong (actions), we put our lives, children, properties and neighbours at risk.
“With this fire safety campaign, we hope that this year, we can reduce fires and for the first time, achieve zero fires,” he said after the Fire Safety Campaign in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri, which was officiated by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian at the Sarawak Bomba headquarters today (Apr 4).
Khirudin revealed that public negligence often peaked after the second or third day of Hari Raya.
“Because of that, the community needs to realise that the steps in controlling and preventing fires are very important.
“Fire never chooses its victims, fire never has an appointment, fire is never invited and fire never has a holiday so we have to pay attention and control the fire,” he said.
On another note, Khirudin shared that the first quarter of the year saw one of the highest forest fire cases in Sarawak.
“Currently, the situation now is good. Two days ago, there were no cases but on Wednesday, there were three cases, and we hope the community starts to realise that the fires are caused by their negligence,” he said.
When asked about hotspots for forest fire cases, Khirudin stated that all risk areas had been regulated in advance and night patrols had been implemented to guarantee that there were no fire-related accidents.
