KUALA TERENGGANU: Terengganu is all for newly built homes to be equipped with portable fire extinguishers with Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman calling the pro-active measure a good preventive action.
“I am all for safety equipment like fire extinguishers to be installed not only at newly built homes, but even old ones which are more prone to fires owing to aged electrical wiring and building material.
“Also, we need to carry out regular inspections and public campaigns to create awareness.
“Additionally, fire drills have to be initiated at housing estates, schools as well as commercial and industrial areas,” Razif told New Straits Times when met at the state-level Maal Hijrah celebrations at the state stadium in Batu Burok.
Asked to comment on news reports that housing developers in Sabah, Selangor, Terengganu and Penang ought to follow Uniform Building By-Laws, Razif said the state government was aware of it and was complying.
“We have advised the various local authorities to abide by the Fire and Rescue Department’s directive (for property developers to provide every home built after 2012 with a fire extinguisher).
“This is after all for a good cause and a preventive measure to save valuable lives and property, in view of the numerous tragedies occurring of late,” he said.
He called on home owners and occupants, whose properties did not have any fire safety equipment, to take the initiative to at least purchase a portable fire extinguisher which is affordably priced.
Razif said that the Fire and Rescue Department had already begun carrying out inspections at newly-built properties, including homes, high-rise apartments and commercial complexes on the matter.