MIRI: Fire safety must be treated as a shared responsibility by the entire community and not solely left to the authorities.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said that while the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) continued to strengthen enforcement and advocacy efforts, public awareness and vigilance remained critical in preventing fire incidents.
He said festive seasons often involved increased cooking, heavier use of electrical appliances, decorative installations and flammable materials, raising fire risks if safety precautions were ignored.
“I would like to urge the entire community, especially residents here, to always adhere to the fire safety advice and guidelines that have been set.
“Safety is not only the responsibility of Bomba or the authorities. It is a shared responsibility of the whole community.
“With awareness, vigilance, and responsibility, we can reduce the risk of fire and ensure that the Hari Raya celebrations are observed in a safe and harmonious environment,” he said.
He said this when officiating at the launching of ‘Ops Siaga Raya’ and the fire safety campaign at Emart Riam here today..
Dr Sim, who is also the Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister, expressed appreciation to the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department for its proactive approach in engaging with communities instead of merely responding to emergencies.
He said programmes such as ‘Ops Siaga Raya’ reflected Bomba’s expanded role not only as a rescue agency, but also as a strategic partner in strengthening community preparedness and resilience against fire risks.
“Collaboration between the Bomba, government agencies, the private sector, and local communities is key to building a community that is knowledgeable, vigilant, and disciplined in terms of safety,” he added.
