NEWS & UPDATES
Sarawak Energy-Bomba Hold Fire Safety Awareness & Prevention Programme At Apau Koyan Bakun, Belaga
KUCHING, 31ST OCTOBER 2017, TUESDAY: Longhouse fires can have devastating consequences, and usually affect more than one household. The Bakun HEP resettled communities in Asap Koyan Belaga, comprising 15 longhouses along the Asap and Koyan Rivers, expect to benefit from fire safety awareness and prevention programme led by Sarawak Energy in collaboration with the Fire and Rescue Department (BOMBA) Bintulu Zone conducted recently.
YB Kennedy Chukpai Ugon, Murum Assemblyman officiated at the programme aimed to create greater awareness on fire safety and prevention measures among the residents of Apau Koyan in Belaga on how to create a fire hazard-free environment. Held at Uma Juman, it is one of Sarawak Energy’s various community development and engagement initiatives being rolled out in the area following the Bakun HEP acquisition.
Aisah Eden, Sarawak Energy Executive Vice President for Corporate Services said, “We are pleased to have partnered with BOMBA on this important initiative looking into the safety of the community at Apau Koyan. Our progammes are run with like-minded organisations where each partner agency has a major role. This is part of a holistic and integrated plan to address the Asap Koyan community's well-being, as part of our commitment to ensure we work with communities to leave a lasting positive legacy."
Commenting on the programme, longhouse chiefs Maren Uma Padan Bisau, Maren Uma Nyaban Kulleh and Maren Uma Huvat Laing of Uma Baha, Uma Badeng and Uma Lesong jointly expressed their belief that such intervention programmes were educational and vital in preventing and reducing longhouse fires.
“As a longhouse, we are a community living together under one roof. These briefings and practical demonstrations are very important in keeping our families and communities safe. Learning from past fire incidents at Apau Koyan, the community is well aware over how crucial it is to pay attention to the lessons shared during this safety program as well as to put them into practice,” said Nyaban.
Jiwari Abdullah, Sarawak Energy Assistant General Manager for Corporate Social Responsibility said in his speech during the launch of the program, “This programme aims to build awareness of fire safety to lower the risk of a fire incident which can result in the loss of property or worse, lives. It is our hope that this fire safety intervention programme will help keep the community safer. At Sarawak Energy, safety is our top priority for our staff, our contractors and the communities which we serve."
Other than a safety demonstration and talk by BOMBA, Sarawak Energy is also contributing fire protection apparatus comprising 110 units of fire extinguishers and cabinets, hose, nozzles and joints to ‘Peng Maren-Maren Uma Sg Asap Koyan Belaga’ (Sg Asap Koyan Longhouse Chiefs Association).
Also present were Unjar Lum, BOMBA Bintulu Zone Chief; Pemanca Umek Jeno, Councillors Eda Ibon and Tirah Liwan and Maren Uma JUman Donny Dian Talik.
In June this year, Sarawak Energy provided immediate relief to villagers of Uma Badeng after a 15 door-block of the longhouse was razed by fire on June 20 leaving some 100 villagers homeless. In February 2013, Sarawak Energy also provided immediate relief aid to victims of Uma Kulit fire which destroyed their 19-door longhouse.
