Kuala lumpur: The Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) has conducted 1,172 inspections of childcare centres nationwide as of October, with 373 notices issued to premises that failed to comply with safety regulations. Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu revealed these statistics during a question and answer session at Dewan Negara today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Deputy Minister also mentioned that for private primary and secondary educational institutions, 234 inspections were carried out during the same period, resulting in 41 notices issued. The ministry, through JBPM, plans to implement enforcement activities to eliminate fire hazards on premises on a scheduled basis. This initiative aims to ensure that premises consistently adhere to the conditions set and refrain from making any unauthorized modifications.

Responding to a question from Senator Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Mohammad Redzuan Othman on ensuring safety compliance in daycare centres and private educational institutions often located in business complexes and shophouses, Aiman Athirah emphasized the ministry's support for stakeholder involvement. She noted efforts to simplify the business premises license approval process while maintaining safety standards and legal compliance.

Aiman Athirah outlined several mandatory safety requirements such as the installation of fire safety systems, provision of at least two exits including doors and exit stairs, construction of separation walls, and placement of fire extinguishers at visible exits. Other requirements include limits on cooking activities and the installation of self-contained smoke detectors.

In 2024, local authorities approved 1,208 business premises licenses, conducting 723 monitoring and enforcement operations that resulted in 61 compounds and eight notices issued to license owners. In 2025, 1,737 licenses were approved, and 472 monitoring and enforcement operations were conducted, leading to the issuance of 96 compounds and 23 notices.