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SHAH ALAM – The Fire Service Act 1988 will be reviewed to impose a more severe penalty on those who misuse fire hydrants, said Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming.
He said under the existing provision in the law, a compound between RM100 and RM500 would be imposed on offenders.
“I think the compound amount is not sufficient to send a message... it (punishment) must serve as a deterrent... We will review the law, increase the amount of the compound, including prosecuting the culprits in court,” he said at a press conference after the presentation of the excellent service award and medals to ministry staff here today.
Last May 11, the Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department, in a statement, said that a contractor had been fined RM100 for misusing the fire hydrant.
This was in relation to Rantau Panjang MP Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff’s move in channelling water from a fire hydrant to a tanker for distribution to her constituents during a water shortage.
Siti Zailah, however, denied that she stole water from the fire hydrant, instead claiming that she had obtained permission from Air Kelantan Sdn Bhd and the Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department for her actions.
Meanwhile, regarding the poor maintenance and low cleanliness levels of low-cost flats in Johor, Nga said the matter would be resolved within two days.
The matter was raised by the Johor sultan, who had expressed his disappointment with the lack of cleanliness at low-cost flats in the state. – Bernama, May 16, 2023