PKR to bring concerns raised by fire station to minister
KUCHING: Concerns raised by the Betong fire station would be brought to the attention of the federal Minister for Housing and Local Government, said Parti Keadilan Rakyat ( PKR) Betong division chairman Vernon Kedit.
PKR on the other hand will endeavour to facilitate the interfacing of federal and state development in such matters, Vernon said when contacted yesterday on the Monday morning fire incident that destroyed four semi concrete two- storey shophouses at Pasar Lam Betong.
However, Vernon said he hoped that the Sarawak government under Gabungan Parti Sarawak ( GPS) would also do its part to ensure that the state would not neglect its duties to monitor public safety agencies by relegating all responsibilities to the federal authorities.
After visiting the site of the fire incident on Tuesday, PKR members visited the Betong fire station to meet with the operations officer Henry Jugah, who briefed them on the incident, its standard operating procedure and the difficulties faced by the station in terms of equipment, vast area of operation and inadequate staffing.
As chairman of the State Disaster and Relief Committee, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas must be more alert and proactive in ensuring a comprehensive programme of post- disaster relief, Vernon said.
Vernon was accompanied by several PKR Betong members, including his deputy Noel Bucking, during the visit.
Neighbouring shopkeepers told them that the heat of the blaze could be felt 50 metres away from the source of the fire, he said.
“The shopkeepers also praised the swift response of the nearby SK Chung Hua Fire Brigade Volunteer Corps who vigorously arrested the blaze. The Saratok Fire Brigade and the Betong Fire Brigade were also commended by the townsfolk for their firefighting efficiency to stop the blaze from spreading to the rest of the block of shops,” said Vernon.
Noel, who was a senior officer of the State Planning Unit, said that the issues faced by Betong Fire Station were also likely faced by other sub-urban fire stations in the state.
He urged the state government not to overlook prioritising development of sub-urban public safety agencies.
Meanwhile, Henry informed that a team from the Kuching Fire Department will be taking charge of the investigations as the blaze was classified as a case of ‘100 per cent burnt’.
He said the Fire Department will work in tandem with the police in ascertaining the cause of the fire.
“PKR will follow up and monitor closely the findings of the investigation to ensure precautionary and preventive measures are taken by the state government,” Vernon said.
Separately, Layar assemblyman Gerald Rentap Jabu also called on the Local Government and Housing Ministry to consider beefing up the staff at Betong fire station.
The GPS Youth chief said not only Betong fire station was in need of more staff but also other fire stations in Sarawak.
On top of staff recruitment, more assets like water pump are also needed, he added.
“Even the service of Rural Water Supply Department in identifying strategic spots for fire hydrants is needed now so that these can be improved in efficiency and numbers,” he said after meeting up with Betong Natural Disaster Relief Committee at the Betong Resident’s Office on Tuesday.
He said Emergency Response Team ( ERT) should also be set up at each and every government department including in NGOs.
“At the same time, all facilities should be upgraded for the sake of the wellbeing of the people in Betong,” he said, adding that he was impressed with the volunteers of various races who came to assist the authorities in managing disaster relief.