Fire & Rescue Dept ready to fight forest fires in Indonesia

The Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department is ready to help Indonesia put out forest fires in the effort to reduce the haze affecting Malaysia.

Its director-general, Datuk Wan Mohd Nor Ibrahim, said that so far, the department had not been asked to assist in the fire-fighting operations in Potianak, Kalimantan

"We are always prepared, but this matter involves the agreement of the two countries. We have done it before, in 1997, and there is no problem if our services are needed again," he told a press conference during an official visit to the district today.

Commenting on his visit, Wan Mohd Nor said the department planned to build a concrete jetty in the water village to serve as a firebreak.

"Many homes are built on water and the risk of fire is very high and it is difficult to put out the fires. As such, we plan to build a concrete jetty to reduce the risk of fires," he said.

He said the department also planned to build a second fire station in Tawau.

"I feel that one station is not enough for this town, so I am planning to find a suitable location for a second station as the present one cannot be expanded," he said.