KUALA LUMPUR: A task force has been formed to check on fire safety at public housing buildings under the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department director Muhammad Salleh Abdul said the task force will focus on 122 blocks of buildings at 24 public housing areas, which are more than 30 years old, in an operation codenamed "Ops Sri PA".
"The task force consists of 70 department personnel and is assisted by DBKL personnel.
"We will conduct the inspections from today till the end of the month," he told reporters after launching the task force at the Sri Sabah flats on Thursday (Feb 22).
The move to form the task force comes after the fire at the Sri Sabah flats on Feb 11, he said.
"We want to ensure that public housing meets the minimum requirements for fire safety.
"At the same time, we want to ascertain that the fire safety system at the buildings are working. We will also see whether there are any improvements that can be made based on existing laws.
"The operation will also enable the department and residents to be prepared in facing any emergency incident," he said.
Muhammad Salleh said any weaknesses or deficiencies discovered in the buildings inspected will be rectified immediately by those responsible.
"The operation is divided into four zones consisting of 122 blocks of public housing buildings.
"Among the areas that will be inspected are Cheras, Setapak and Kerinchi," he added.
Asked whether the inspection will be expanded in the future to include other public housing buildings, Muhammad Salleh said the department will look into the matter.
"Let us conclude the first round of inspections.
"We will see the results of the inspection before looking to expand the operation," he said.
Meanwhile he said the forensic report on the fire at Sri Sabah flats will be revealed within two weeks.
"The report has been completed but we are still scrutinising the details.
"We expect to reveal it soon within two weeks," he said.
On Feb 11, five units at the 17th floor of the Sri Sabah flats were razed in a fire while one unit was saved.
Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department received the report on the fire at 9.19pm that affected a total of 16 residents.
