Safiee says the tragedy should serve as a wake-up call for all parties, especially the Education Ministry, to strengthen safety measures in school premises.

SIBU (May 8): Daro assemblyman Dr Safiee Ahmad has called for regular electrical inspections in schools, particularly ageing and dilapidated buildings, following the recent electrocution incident that claimed the life of a student in Daro.

He said the tragedy should serve as a wake-up call for all parties, especially the Education Ministry, to strengthen safety measures in school premises.

“I think periodic electrical inspections in school premises should be carried out regularly,” he told The Borneo Post when contacted.

Safiee stressed that attention must be given to older schools, especially those with ageing electrical wiring systems.

“Electrical wiring has a certain lifespan, generally about 15 years.

“However, in some schools, particularly wooden structures, the lifespan may be shorter,” he said.

He added that any electrical extension or repair works in schools must only be carried out by qualified and competent personnel.

“Electrical wiring work cannot simply be done by just anybody,” he stressed.

Apart from inspections, Safiee also highlighted the importance of safety briefings for students to ensure that they would know how to respond appropriately during emergencies.

“In light of the recent incident, students must be taught properly how to safely manage or respond to such situations,” he said.

He also called for key agencies such as the Fire and Rescue Department to be invited to conduct emergency response briefings, including handling electrocution cases, to school-children.

“The special safety briefings should be introduced as part of the school module or syllabus so that students will know how to handle the situation safely if such incidents occur,” he added.

Safiee further said schools, especially boarding schools, must establish their respective safety and health committees to conduct regular inspections and identify potential hazards within school compounds.

He also recommended the use of plastic taps and pipes where suitable, noting that metal materials were good conductors of electricity.

The electrocution incident that claimed the life of a student at a school in Daro, Mukah, is currently under investigation by the relevant authorities.

The Sarawak Education Department, in a statement on Thursday, said it had initiated an internal probe into compliance with safety measures at the school involved, while the affected area had been cordoned off.

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