Wednesday, 1 April 2026

Author: Datu Khirudin Drahman

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

Navigating challenges of and solutions to EV Safety

Electric vehicles (EVs) have become the symbol of a cleaner, greener future. Governments across the globe, supported by environmental activists, are championing their use to curb carbon emissions and mitigate climate change. Conferences, seminars, and workshops tirelessly promote the benefits of EVs, emphasizing their role in reducing global reliance on

Heroes battling Sarawak’s fires

As someone who has spent years in the Fire and Rescue Department, or as we’re often called, “Abam Bomba”, I have seen firsthand the unique challenges we face here in Sarawak. Our state is the largest in Malaysia, with a terrain that’s beautiful yet unforgiving. Much of Sarawak is remote,

Prioritising prevention key to fire safety

After nearly 35 years of service, having held senior positions across various states and now stationed at the headquarters, I have realised that the most crucial task of the fire service is not what most people think. While many associate firefighting with the role of the Fire and Rescue Department

Never say ‘it won’t happen to me’

OVER the past few weeks, the Sarawak community was rattled by a series of unexpected and devastating fire incidents. Fires broke out in residential areas, shophouses, factories, and other high-hazard installations, causing extensive damage to properties and livelihoods. The sheer scale and frequency of these incidents have left many questioning

Educating youth by igniting their awareness

In today’s world, the importance of fire safety cannot be emphasized enough, especially for the younger generation. While advancements in fire safety technology and regulations have been made, many Malaysians, especially Sarawakians, remain unaware of the dangers they face and how to mitigate them. The root of this issue can

Preparing for emergencies

In recent times, both local incidents in Sarawak and national events have shed light on a critical issue: our preparedness for emergencies and disasters. The ancient Roman general Flavius Vegetius Renatus once wisely said, “Si vis pacem, parabellum,” which translates to “If you want peace, prepare for war.” This centuries-old