The RM50 million allocation announced in the 2018 Budget for repair and maintenance works of the wiring system of all registered tahfiz schools should also be used for the purpose of improving other security aspects.

Fire and Rescue Department director-general Wan Mohd Nor Ibrahim said apart from the wiring system, other safety aspects also helped to ensure the safety and lives of the students, especially in emergency situations.

“I hope that the allocation can also be used for other urgent needs such as additional staircases, second emergency doors and smoke detectors as all these elements are essential in emergency situations.

“All these elements help and provide a better chance for students to escape if there is a fire and I view the allocation as a gift to safeguard the lives of those children,” Wan Mohd Nor told reporters after visiting the AnNoer Tahfiz centre in Janda Baik, Pahang today. 

Also present was Pahang Fire and Rescue Department director Abdul Wahab Mat Yassin.

During the visit, Wan Mohd Nor presented fire extinguisher, smoke detector and other requirements of the centre’s firefighter squad as well as a demonstration on how to extinguish fires.

Wan Mohd Nor also said that Fire and Rescue Department would continue to carry out inspections at all tahfiz centres throughout the country after the upgrading of the wiring system was completed by GiatMara to ensure that the purpose of the allocation was achieved.

Commenting on the firefighter squads at tahfiz centres, Wan Mohd Nor said thus far about 300 of 1238 registered centres in the country have their own firefighter squads, aimed at helping to reduce injuries and deaths in case of fire.

- Bernama