KUANTAN: Pahang Ruler Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah graced the inauguration of the Pahang Royal Palace Fire Safety Team (PKKI) on Saturday (Dec 28), setting a historic precedent as the nation's first team of its kind.
In his address, His Royal Highness expressed a profound affinity to the formation of the team, an initiative birthed by the Pahang Palace and brought to fruition in partnership with the Fire and Rescue Department.
Al-Sultan Abdullah voiced his hopes that the team would educate palace staff and their families on emergency preparedness while also extending a helping hand to those in need.
The Ruler encouraged all palace staff to assist their neighbours and nearby relatives in times of tragedy such as fires or floods.
His Royal Highness also expressed his admiration for the commitment of firefighters, who consistently put their lives on the line to save others.
Fire and Rescue director-general, Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad, and the state Fire and Rescue director, Datuk Dr Wan Mohamad Zaidi Wan Isa, also attended the event. Al-Sultan Abdullah unveiled the "Menghapus Bahaya" (Eradicating Danger) plaque and observed a demonstration performed by the PKKI in association with the Fire and Rescue Department.
Under the supervision of Senior Asst Fire Comm (Honorary) YH Tok Aria Rakna Ahmad Norbadelin Abdul Murad, the Sultan’s Special Private Secretary, the team currently has 48 members.
Nor Hisham explained that the initiative was inspired by Al-Sultan Abdullah’s directive to improve fire readiness within the palace, ensuring quick and effective responses to any fire incidents.
Nor Hisham highlighted the importance of this initiative, stating that palaces house many irreplaceable historical items. The loss of such treasures, including the Sultan’s long-standing artworks, would be incalculable if a fire were to occur.
On a separate note, Nor Hisham shared that 9,510 fire safety notices were issued to 1,260 buildings, accounting for 13% of the 18,439 buildings inspected nationwide this year.
He was pleased to report that most complied with the notices, with only 94 going unheeded.
He added that legal action will be taken against these non-compliant cases. – Bernama
