Wednesday, 4 February 2026

Author: Datu Khirudin Drahman

Understanding fire safety beyond checklists

WHEN people talk about fire safety and fire engineering, confusion often sets in. Over the years, I have met many individuals – from industry players to members of the public – who hold very different understandings of what fire safety truly means. This is hardly surprising. Fire safety is not

Fire safety: A shared responsibility that cannot be ignored

FOR more than two years, I have consistently spoken and written about fire safety as a shared responsibility. At the heart of this discussion lies a simple but often overlooked principle: safety must always take precedence over profit. As members of a community, we must ask ourselves a fundamental question:

Question is, are we prepared for any eventuality?

OVER the past three weeks alone, the world has been reminded—once again and tragically—of fire’s unforgiving nature. From Grenfell Tower in the United Kingdom (2017) and Azadlig Avenue in Baku, Azerbaijan (2015), to the recent Wong Chuk Court fire in Hong Kong and an apartment blaze in Mont Kiara, the

Community preparedness determines disaster response

IN a recent article published during Bulan Kesiapsiagaan, I highlighted a critical message that warrants ongoing attention: robust disaster preparedness is fundamentally rooted at the community level. While governments and agencies develop comprehensive plans, policies, and systems, it is essential to acknowledge that the initial moments following any incident are

Preparedness: A culture that saves lives

OCTOBER is recognised globally as Bulan Kesiapsiagaan – or Preparedness Month – a time to reflect on how ready we are to face disasters and emergencies. Preparedness is more than a theme. It is a mindset and a culture that shape how we respond when the unexpected happens. Too often,

Preparedness, key to resilience and safety

It doesn’t give a clear “signal” before it strikes. Only those who are prepared — mentally, strategically, and collectively — can recognise potential risks, take steps to reduce them, and lessen their impact. As a community, we must always ask ourselves if we are truly ready to face any possibility.

Fire safety essentials unveiled to ignite awareness

AS we go about our daily lives, many of us tend to ignore the most basic yet critical aspect of survival – our safety and the safety of our surroundings. After more than three decades in the fire service, I have observed a troubling pattern among our fellow Sarawakians: the

More to haze than meets the eye

JUST a fortnight ago, Malaysia — including parts of Sarawak — was shrouded in an unexpected spell of unhealthy haze. As always, many of our citizens were quick to point fingers across the border. However, what puzzled many was how towns far removed from the border, especially along Sarawak’s central

A call to embrace Total Fire Safety culture

This article marks my second-last contribution before my final flag-off as a senior fire officer, and it brings me great honour and pleasure to continue advocating for Total Fire Safety, a lifelong mission that I believe is essential to nation building. Throughout my career, I have consistently emphasised the importance

Launching my first book: A tribute to fire prevention in Sarawak

ON July 2, I had the honour of launching my first book, ‘The Man Behind the Fire Prevention Programs in Sarawak – Datu Khirudin bin Drahman @ Husaini: Innovative Fire Prevention Methodology, Safeguarding Our Natural Heritage’.  The launch was officiated by Deputy Premier, who is also the Minister for Public Health,