PETALING JAYA: More than 25,000 fire hazard abatement notices (MBK) were issued nationwide between 2023 and March this year, says the Fire and Rescue Department.
This is based on inspections on 61,282 premises nationwide during the same period.
According to department director-general Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad, a total of 1,876 MBK were issued in 2023 with the numbers rising to 8,968 in 2024 and 10,916 in 2025.
As of March this year, about 3,715 MBK were already issued.
MBK notices are issued for every offence discovered during inspections. Some buildings can also be issued multiple notices for various offences.
The inspections covered residential premises, hospitals and treatment facilities, alternative residential premises, offices, shophouses, factories, assembly areas, general storage areas and educational institutions.
The MBK was most issued to alternative residential premises, followed by shops. Alternative residential premises refer to places such as industrial hostels and workers’ dormitories.
Across the years, a total of 11,663 notices were issued to these premises, making up almost 46% of the total MBK issued.
Nor Hisham said fire safety inspections are constantly carried out with MBK issued, if necessary, to high-risk buildings.
Follow-up inspections, he said, are carried out to ensure rectification measures are adhered to.
“The general objective of fire safety is to protect lives and property. This is achievable through improving the management of fire emergencies efficiently in tandem with adequate and timely maintenance carried out on firefighting apparatus in buildings.
“Various advocacy and community awareness programmes are also carried out with building owners and occupants, with one of the focus areas being the upkeep of firefighting infrastructure within the premises.
“Other areas prioritised are emergency exit routes, adherence to the set safety standards, as well as fire drills and outreach programmes with communities,” said Nor Hisham.
He said fire safety, especially in older buildings, requires a more sensitive approach compared to newer buildings.
“This is not only to protect the occupants and visitors but also its historical contents, fabric and structure,” he said, adding that these principles also pose challenges, especially when it comes to prevention, fire protection and enforcing the law.
Measures taken by the department include conducting periodic fire safety inspections for older buildings, strengthening community advocacy works on fire safety and outreach programmes for targeted communities.
