By Indun Silong
MIRI: The Penan community made history by agreeing to set up a Malaysian Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association (PBS) in Long Kevok, Layun.
Miri Fire and Rescue Department Chief Zone 6, PgKB I Law Poh Kiong said Long Kevok residents were excited about the establishment of PBS.
“The Penan community in Long Kevok is excited and welcomes the establishment of PBS to keep them safe.
“In addition, they can also assist in the event of a fire in the vicinity while waiting for the Fire and Rescue Team from Miri, which will take four hours to arrive,” he said.
Poh Kiong said this when contacted by reporters yesterday.
He added that besides the establishment of PBS, they also held fire safety talks for village chiefs and residents there.
“Around May, when the fire incident in Long Kovok and Long Mera occurred, the Penan people there showed signs of efforts and persistence in helping to extinguish the fires which we greatly appreciated,” he said.
PBS Long Kevok was initiate through Protem PBS Long Kevok meeting which was led by Ketua Kampung, Lucas Seman on August 3.
The establishment of PSB here is among the first in the Penan community in Sarawak to help putting out of fires in the early stage.
PBS Long Kevok will serve around areas such as Kampung Long Kevok, Long Leng, Long Urang, Long Liwok and Long Nan.
The PBS establishment meeting was also attended by District Officer, District Office Telang Usan Baru Tai, Marudi Fire and Rescue Department Chief, PPgb Maureen Sim and witness by the Penghulu and village chief from Layun area.
According to Poh Kiong, currently in Miri Division has 11 PBS established including Long Kevok of 48 PBS in Sarawak.
“In Miri PBS which has been established are Batu Niah, Bekenu, Marudi, Piasau, Entulang, Luping Aji, Long Pilah, Long Bedian, Long Bemang, Bario and Long Kevok which are still in the process of registration,” he explained.
Earlier on, Poh Kiong and his team also conducted Training and Futures Simulation to deal with the floods in Long Bemang for two days, 1 till 2 August.
Poh Kiong said Long Bemang was chosen because the people there had the best hospitality and cooperation.
These exercises and simulations make Long Bemang the home base for storing food supplies in the flood-prone and difficult-to-access Sungai Tutoh Apoh area.
These exercises and simulations make Long Bemang the home base for storing food supplies in the flood-prone and difficult-to-access Sungai Tutoh Apoh area.
The training and simulation involved Long Bemang residents and government agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare, the Police, the Malaysian Defence Agency, bomba, the Health department, the Red Crescent Society, the Agriculture Team and the Long Lama District Office.
Also present during the Training and Simulation was Telang Usan Assemblyman Dennis Ngau.
