KOTA KINABALU, July 25 (Bernama) — Minister of Housing and Local Government Nga Kor Ming today said that six new and extension fire station projects have been approved and are being implemented in Sabah this year, namely in Telupid, Lahad Datu, Beaufort, Pitas, Nabawan and Merotai.
He said the allocation to implement the projects was given under the 4th Rolling Plan of the 12th Malaysia Plan, where RM267.6 million was allocated as development expenditure for the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) which includes the implementation of 17 new projects and 47 extension projects across the country.
“For 2024, the Unity Government has also approved an allocation of RM53.8 million for new physical projects that include new construction, upgrading and maintenance of firefighting facilities including stations and quarters.
“Additionally, RM64.8 million has been approved for new procurement of fire equipment, refurbishment of 30 units of Fire Rescue Tender (FRT), replacement of 10 units of fire buses, as well as maintenance of helicopters, aircraft refueller and fire engines,” he said when officiating the opening of Putatan Fire and Rescue Station here today.
Also present were Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam, Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey Yahya and JBPM director-general Datuk Hisham Mohammad.
Meanwhile, Nga said the Putatan Fire and Rescue Station was built on a 0.7-hectare (1.756 acres) site with a total cost of RM 11.72 million.
“It is a category C fire station equipped with a machinery room, administrative office, logistics store, pump house, tower and marching field as well as other facilities.
“With the Putatan Fire and Rescue Station being fully operational now, there are a total of 27 fire stations ready to provide fire and rescue services to the people in Sabah,” he said.
Nga said before the completion of the Putatan station, fire incidents in the area were attended by nearby fire and rescue stations such as in Kota Kinabalu, Penampang and Lintas, each located more than 12 kilometres from Putatan.
“Now, the response time will definitely be shorter and firefighters will be able to arrive faster at the scene of the incident to save the lives and property of the people around this area.
“The ministry is optimistic that with the increase in the number of new stations that will be built and operated, a better response time of the fire department will be better achieved,” he added.
— BERNAMA