By Zaki Salleh
IPOH: The establishment of a Volunteer Firefighting Team (PBS) is being proposed in Gugusan Manjoi to support early emergency response efforts before the arrival of the official fire department.
PBS can be formed through local organizations registered under the Department of the Registrar of Societies Malaysia (eROSES).
State Executive Councillor for Housing and Local Government, Sandrea Ng, said PBS could help raise fire safety awareness within the community.
“One of the conditions for building a new fire station is that there must be no existing station within a 25-kilometer radius, based on guidelines from the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM).
“Currently, Gugusan Manjoi is covered by three nearby fire stations: Ipoh (5.2 km), Meru Raya (8.3 km), and Pasir Puteh (10.3 km),” she said during the Perak State Legislative Assembly session.
She was responding to a question from Manjoi State Assemblyman, Mohd Hafez Sabri.
Regarding water pressure issues during fires, Sandrea stated that JBPM Perak is constantly working with the Perak Water Board (LAP) to ensure adequate water pressure during fire incidents. This includes boosting pressure immediately when necessary.
“Public safety is a shared responsibility. Community cooperation is crucial to strengthening disaster preparedness,” she added.
A total of 31 fire cases have been recorded in Gugusan Manjoi so far in 2024, highlighting the need for serious attention.
Gugusan Manjoi, home to over 40,000 residents across five Malay villages, is known as the largest Malay village in Malaysia.
