KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) will study the need to build a mini fire station on Pulau Bruit, Daro, Sarawak, based on the area’s fire risk index.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the study would determine whether the proposed fire station is necessary before a proposal is submitted in the near future, if deemed necessary.
“We will conduct a survey to ensure that the construction of the fire station is based on the fire risk index,” he said in reply to a supplementary question from Datuk Yusuf Abd Wahab (GPS-Tanjong Manis) on the proposal to build a mini fire station on Pulau Bruit following recurring forest fires almost every year, during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He said the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM) had deployed 27 personnel to combat three major forest fires on Pulau Bruit between Aug 10 and Sept 13, which affected 42 hectares.
The affected areas were Jalan Tanjung Gelang, Kampung Bruit (29 hectares), Kampung Kut (eight hectares) and the road leading to Kampung Penuai (five hectares).
At the same time, Nga said air quality in Sarawak is monitored through a network of stations operated by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) and the Department of Environment (DOE), comprising five monitoring stations, 12 continuous monitoring stations and a mobile station.
He said legal action could be taken against those who carried out open burning without written permission. Offences under Section 30(1)(a) and Section 30(2) of the Natural Resources and Environment Ordinance carry a fine of up to RM100,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both, in addition to further fines for continuing offences.
-- BERNAMA