MIRI: A warehouse owner was fined RM10,000 by the Miri Sessions Court on Tuesday (Aug 18) after the premises continued operating without a valid Fire Certificate despite being given 180 days to rectify fire safety violations.
Judge Afidah Abdul Rahman imposed the fine after the accused pleaded guilty to an offence under Section 33 of the Fire Services Act 1988 (Act 341).
The court was told that the premises had been without a valid Fire Certificate since September 2025 after the owner failed to comply with requirements set out in a Notice of Requirements to Be Complied With (Form FC6).
In seeking an appropriate sentence, the prosecution said the failure to comply had left the premises without a valid Fire Certificate, meaning the required fire-fighting equipment and fire safety installations could not be regarded as adequately maintained in accordance with the law.
The prosecution highlighted several aggravating factors, including the nature of the premises, which was used as a multipurpose storage facility containing highly combustible packaging materials, particularly cardboard boxes.
The high fuel load posed a heightened risk of rapid fire spread, potentially endangering lives and causing extensive property damage.
The court was also told that the premises had previously been affected by a fire originating from a neighbouring factory on Aug 14, 2025, which damaged part of its fire safety system.
A subsequent inspection by the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (Bomba) Sarawak found several outstanding defects.
These included a main fire alarm control panel that was not in good working condition, a sprinkler pump panel that was not connected to the main panel, and a safety device that was not connected to the main panel.
Bomba had first inspected the premises on Aug 19, 2025 in connection with the renewal of its Fire Certificate.
A Form FC6 notice was subsequently issued, giving the owner 180 days to comply with the required corrective measures.
However, when Bomba conducted a follow-up inspection on April 14, 2026, the requirements had still not been fully complied with.
The prosecution submitted that the absence of a properly functioning fire safety system could delay the warning given to occupants during a fire, hinder emergency response and increase the risk to life and property.
Although the prosecution acknowledged that the guilty plea had saved the court’s time and resources, it urged the court to impose a meaningful fine in the public interest and as a deterrent to other premises owners.
Under Section 33 of the Fire Services Act 1988, a person found guilty may be fined up to RM50,000, imprisoned for up to five years, or both.
The RM10,000 fine imposed by the court serves as a reminder that fire safety compliance is a statutory responsibility and that premises owners cannot continue operating while critical fire protection requirements remain outstanding.
