THE proposal to make it compulsory for households to own a fire extinguisher needs further deliberation before it can be enforced.
Public Health, Housing and Local Government Deputy Minister Michael Tiang said his ministry was still in discussions with the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department on the matter, which is a requirement under the Sarawak Building Ordinance 1994 for new houses in the state.
“We need to work out how to enforce the law.
“This is a good law but we must have very effective enforcement.”
Tiang was speaking at a road safety campaign held in conjunction with Chinese New Year.
However, he stressed that the enforcement of any law mandating household fire extinguishers was not the best solution.
“It is better if we can find ways to foster fire safety awareness among the public.”