KUCHING: Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian wants a coordinated effort to prevent any repeat of the recent fire involving piles of used tyres at a factory along Mile 9, Jalan Indah Ria here.
He said the issue requires close cooperation between the local councils and the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) Sarawak.
He added that while recycling is an important part of sustainability, it must be carried out safely, stressing that all industries should adhere to the same high standards practiced in the medical sector.
“We will sit down with the relevant authorities, including the local councils and NREB, to discuss how best to address the situation.
“The focus now is to solve the issue rather than assign blame,” he said after officiating at the launch of the Halcyon Radiotherapy System and PSMA PET/CT Scan Service at Borneo Medical Centre here today.
Dr Sim who is Public Health, Housing, and Local Government Minister said any health-related assessment or advice for nearby residents should come from the Sarawak Health Department and divisional medical officers.
“We will ask the health authorities to provide advice to residents on any health concerns related to the fire,” he added.
The fire, which sparked last Wednesday (Oct 29), destroyed the factory and damaged a nearby plastics recycling plant.
According to a spokesperson from the Sarawak Bomba Operations Centre, 80 per cent of the blaze had been extinguished as of the sixth day of firefighting operations Monday.
The statement said 16 firefighters from the Kota Samarahan and Kota Sentosa fire stations were still carrying out overhaul and cooling works at the site.
Excavation works using an excavator were also conducted to expose hidden embers, while direct extinguishing and gradual cooling of hotspot areas were carried out to prevent reignition.
The team continues applying water streams from both stations’ fire engines to ensure all remaining heat and smoke are fully suppressed.
