JBPM Implements Fuel-saving Measures - DG

BATU KAWAN, April 5 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) has implemented several cost-saving measures, including limiting the movement of non-critical vehicles, following current fuel supply issues and rising costs.

Its director-general Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad said the approach was taken to ensure that the use of diesel and petrol is optimised without affecting operational readiness.

He said all state directors have also been instructed to reorganise departmental programmes, including public education activities, to be carried out more efficiently while minimising vehicle use.

“For fire operation vehicles, there is no compromise - if there is an emergency call, our personnel will respond as usual. However, for utility vehicles and non-critical activities, we are limiting movement.

“In addition, we are adopting fuel-saving measures such as conducting meetings online to reduce the need for officers and personnel to travel to meeting locations. I have already informed all state directors about this,” he told reporters last night.

He was met after the closing ceremony of the Volunteer Fire Brigade (PBS) Convention and the Penang JBPM Public Safety and Awareness Campaign, officiated by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow at the Batu Kawan Stadium last night. Also present was state Local Government and Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye.

Nor Hisham said his department acknowledges views from the PBS regarding the impact of fuel costs on daily operations, and the matter will be discussed periodically before being brought to the government for further consideration, including aspects of additional needs and support mechanisms.

“PBS has not yet received fuel subsidies, but the matter can be submitted for government review as they also use diesel and petrol for operations,” he said.

Meanwhile, in another development, Nor Hisham said the increase in fire incidents over the past two weeks has shown a significant surge of about 40 per cent compared with the same period previously.

He said the rise not only involves the number of cases, but is more concerning as the affected areas have also expanded, including fires exceeding 100 hectares in several locations such as Pahang and Johor.

According to him, most of the fires involve secondary forest areas and oil palm plantations, which require more complex and continuous firefighting efforts.

“The spike occurred over a short period of about two weeks, but what is more worrying is the size of the affected areas, including fires in Pahang and Johor that have exceeded 100 hectares. The current hot and dry weather conditions are also contributing to the increased fire risk.

“In addition to factors such as open burning, which is believed to still be taking place - because without burning, fires would not occur - we believe there are elements of burning that are making the situation more serious,” he said.

He expressed hope that the cloud seeding operations scheduled to begin tomorrow (April 6) will help address the situation, particularly in providing water sources and ensuring that existing fires can be fully extinguished.

-- BERNAMA