Author: Datu Khirudin Drahman

Understanding the 3Ps of fire safety essentials

THIS week, I would like to take the opportunity to revisit and reinforce key messages from my previous articles – specifically concerning the importance of the 3Ps: Precaution, Prevention, and Protection, against fire hazards that may threaten our homes, workplaces, and communities. As we navigate our daily lives, it is

Empowering Sarawak to achieve total fire safety

THROUGHOUT 44 dedicated articles under my special column ‘Bomba and Beyond’, I have shared insights and developments on Sarawak’s journey towards embracing the Sarawak Community Total Fire Safety approach. I am heartened by the tremendous response and growing awareness demonstrated by Sarawakians. It is evident that the collective mindset on

Understanding fire safety risks in solar photovoltaic systems

THIS week, I would like to share some important insights with Sarawakians on the topic of green energy and renewable energy. In particular, I wish to elaborate on Photovoltaic (PV) technologies, popularly known as solar panels, which generate electricity from the power of sunlight. While PV technology is an emerging

Safety over profit

The morning of April 1 will not be easily forgotten by the residents of Putra Heights. What began as a quiet Tuesday was suddenly shattered by a massive explosion that resembled the force of an atomic bomb. The raging inferno from a gas pipeline fire not only shocked the community

Essential elements for total fire safety

As I have often highlighted in my writings, the concept of Total Fire Safety and Security is an essential framework comprising three critical components: precaution, prevention, and protection. In this week’s column, I want to delve deeper into these three elements, as they are fundamental in addressing the most pressing

A call to action to prevent fires

Last week, while reviewing fire-related fatalities in Malaysia and Sarawak, I was struck by the alarming reality that many of these tragedies were avoidable. Fires caused by negligence have led to unnecessary deaths, with Sarawak recording 12 fatalities in 2024, nine in 2023, and 22 in 2022. These numbers reflect

Clarifying fire certificate and occupational permit

SARAWAK has been experiencing heavy rains and flooding over the past few weeks, causing many people to stay indoors. During this monsoon season, I have the opportunity to spend quality time with my children and grandchildren. However, with the continuous rainfall, the festive Chinese New Year celebrations were somewhat subdued,

Milestone achieved with Bomba Malaysia at INTERSEC

Last week marked a significant milestone in my career when I was invited to participate in the prestigious INTERSEC Dubai 2025, held from January 14 to 16 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. This premier international event brought together global experts, policymakers, industry leaders, and emergency service professionals to discuss

Sarawak’s struggle and challenges in fire prevention

Sarawak, Malaysia’s largest state, presents unique challenges for fire prevention and management. With a land area of approximately 124,000 square kilometres and vast remote regions, the geographical scale and limited infrastructure make it difficult for the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) to respond to emergencies promptly. Despite their efforts, the

Empowering communities, a fire safety imperative

For the past 36 columns, I’ve been saying loud and clear that fire safety isn’t just someone else’s job; it’s on all of us to keep things safe. Bigwigs in charge of laws need to make sure buildings are built safely and keep them that way with rules; landlords and