Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT), through the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), is actively implementing fire safety enforcement measures to prevent incidents similar to the apartment fire in Hong Kong last year. Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu emphasized the importance of regulating materials, equipment, and fire protection systems, as well as certifying installation to ensure compliance with standards.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Uniform Building By-Laws 1984 (Amendment 2021) mandates that open-plan apartment residential buildings above 40 floors or 120 metres must have safety systems such as automatic sprinklers, hose reel systems, fire alarms, fire intercoms, and fire control centres. Aiman Athirah highlighted that enforcement under the Fire Services Act 1988 (Act 341) is conducted through Fire Hazard Elimination (MBK) inspections, including those on Joint Management Committees (JMB).
"From 2023 to 2025, a total of 1,537 inspections were completed, with 416 premises identified as non-compliant, resulting in 7,648 notices being issued. For 2026, JBPM has set a target of MBK inspections for 850 premises involving apartment buildings nationwide," she informed the Dewan Negara. This was in response to a query by Senator Robert Lau Hui Yew regarding KPKT's preparedness to handle severe fires amidst the rise in skyscrapers in the country.
She further commented that JBPM had placed 20 Aerial Ladder Platform (ALP) vehicles strategically and would receive an additional 30 Fire Rescue Tender vehicles and 37 Compact Fire Rescue Tenders this year. Moreover, they have applied for the procurement of 10 Light Turntable Ladders to bolster preparedness. "JBPM is also conducting strategic collaborations with the Malaysian Super High-rise Building Council, involving iconic structures like the Petronas Twin Towers and Merdeka Tower 118, to enhance high-tech safety systems, simulation training, and emergency operation procedures," she added.
The Wang Fuk Court apartment fire in Tai Po, Hong Kong, on November 26 claimed 168 lives and left nearly 5,000 residents homeless.
In response to a separate question by Senator Dr Jufitri Joha regarding government measures for handling flash floods, Aiman Athirah stated that 1,503 flash flood hotspot locations had been identified nationwide. This data comes from the Environmentally Friendly Drainage Master Plan (PISMA), used in major cities to guide drainage system upgrades and future development planning, ensuring effective implementation and maintenance.
"KPKT is currently developing a database and urban drainage system using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, integrating information on flash flood locations, drainage infrastructure, topography, and physical planning parameters in local authority (PBT) areas. This system will serve as a single reference source to improve the accuracy of risk analysis and flash flood mitigation planning," she explained.