Re-evaluate physical status of all buildings — Zahid

BAGAN DATUK: The Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (RISM) and the Malaysian Association of Registered Building Surveyors (MyRBS) have been asked to re-evaluate the physical status of all buildings in the country.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the move was important following the fire tragedy at the Tahfiz Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah in Kuala Lumpur last month.

He said the government had set up a special task force chaired by him on the matter and several things have also been taken into consideration.

“We have met and reviewed several things that can be improved as soon as possible including steps to ensure that the standards for each tahfiz and pondok school as well as other buildings that house orphans, kindergartens, child care centres and senior citizens are adhered to.

“I want professional bodies such as MyRBS and RISM to take the initiative to re-evaluate the physical status of each building to avoid fire,” he said in his speech at the handing over of keys of new houses to fire victims in Kampung Batu 9, Hutan Melintang here yesterday.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said that monitoring and evaluation of safety aspects of the buildings should be carried out on an ongoing basis to prevent undesirable events.

On the handing over of the new houses, the Deputy Prime Minister, who is also Bagan Datuk Member of Parliament, said it clearly proved the government’s commitment to improve the standard of living of the people.

The 11 new houses – for nine Indian and two Chinese families – was an initiative by the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) of the Prime Minister’s Department (JPM) and him.

Construction of all the housing units on the original plot with a total area of 2.45 hectares and costing RM527,600 commenced in late March and was completed six months later.

Meanwhile, the Deepavali celebration will be more significant for family of P. Ragu, 36, a plantation worker who was one of the victims, as they will be celebrating it in their new home.

“I am very happy to celebrate the upcoming Deepavali and a big thank you to Datuk Seri Zahid for helping us to have a home again,” he said. - Bernama