SANDAKAN: The Government will step up fire rescue and safety training, particularly in water villages and squatter settlements identified as high-risk, following the recent Kampung Bahagia fire in Batu Sapi, which posed significant challenges to rescue operations.
Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government, Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu, said the move was decided after taking into account the densely packed housing conditions, narrow access routes and various obstructions that hindered the movement of rescue teams during the operation.
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“The personnel from the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department reportedly did their utmost to save lives and property despite facing numerous challenges in extinguishing the blaze in Kampung Bahagia.
“Accordingly, discussions at the ministry level have emphasised the need to provide training to local communities so they are better prepared to face emergency situations, while also enhancing awareness on fire prevention.
“In Sabah, particularly in Sandakan, this effort will begin through collaboration with the Sandakan Municipal Council to identify high-risk settlements for the implementation of regular training programmes,” she said.
She was speaking to the media after visiting and meeting victims of the Kampung Bahagia fire who are currently taking shelter at the Temporary Relief Centre (PPS) at Dewan Sibuga, Batu 5, recently.
Meanwhile, she also noted that the establishment of more volunteer fire brigades is being encouraged to enable early assistance to residents before the arrival of fire and rescue personnel, especially in situations where fires are difficult to control.
On the matter of resettling fire victims, the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) has held discussions with the Sabah Chief Minister in line with the Prime Minister’s directive to assess suitable solutions.
“Sabah is among the states with the highest number of People’s Housing Programme (PPR) projects in the country, with 39 completed and nine currently under implementation.
“To date, around 70 PPR units have been identified as vacant but require maintenance works before they can be handed over promptly to fire victims.
“The Ministry through its relevant agency will utilise all available avenues to ensure fire victims are provided with temporary accommodation as soon as possible.
In addition, the government is also considering alternatives through the PR1MA Residences project at Borneo Cove, which has approximately 30 vacant units to be prioritised for affected victims.
The management of these placements will be coordinated with the Sandakan Municipal Council to ensure smooth and orderly implementation,” she said.
At the same time, Aiman Athirah also informed that, based on experience during the fire and explosion incident in Putra Heights, the government collaborated with Airbnb operators in providing temporary housing.
“Following discussions to date, for the Kampung Bahagia fire, we are also providing 50 homes to accommodate 50 families for a period of 28 days, free of charge.
“This is among the temporary measures we can currently undertake to assist the victims of the Kampung Bahagia fire,” she added.
It is also understood that eight temporary evacuation centres – namely SMK Batu Sapi, SK Gas, Dewan PPR Batu Sapi, SK Karamunting, SK Bahagia, Dewan Sibuga, Dewan Warga Tua Sri Harapan, and the Sim-Sim Futsal Court – which have been in operation for two weeks since April 19, were scheduled to close on May 2.
