Wednesday, 1 April 2026

Author: Datu Khirudin Drahman

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,

Sarawak’s fire safety challenges and triumphs

SARAWAK’S vast and rugged terrain poses many challenges when it comes to fire safety. Yet, despite these geographic difficulties, Sarawakians have proven time and again their ability to safeguard their homes and lands through vigilance, community effort and innovation. Since 2019, Bomba Sarawak has introduced several forward-thinking strategies that have

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