NEWS & UPDATES

BINTULU, 21 DECEMBER 2018, FRIDAY: The Persatuan BOMBA Sukarela of Sungai Asap now have a new fully-equipped fire engine vehicle, a contribution from Sarawak Energy in a bid to enable swift action in the event of a fire incident in the area.

Aisah Eden, Sarawak Energy Executive Vice President for Corporate Services handed over the new fire engine vehicle - which replaces an older vehicle – to Councilor Tirah @ Liwan Lawai, the association’s chairman in a ceremony at the Sarawak Energy Bintulu Regional Office recently. The handing over was witnessed by community leaders from the Bakun Resettlement Scheme.

The new fire engine will facilitate the volunteers in their fire-fighting operations at Sungai Asap since the volunteers serve as first responders before the main unit of the Fire and Rescue Department (BOMBA) arrives.  The fire engine vehicle is in compliance with the specifications set by BOMBA.

Aisah in her speech said, “We are pleased to have partnered with BOMBA on this important initiative that looks into the safety of the community in Sungai Asap.  We hope that the new fire engine vehicle will enable the BOMBA volunteer team of Sungai Asap to provide swifter and safer mitigation in the event of a fire incident.  In an emergency, first responders play a critical role. They may be able to reduce or extinguish the fire before the arrival of BOMBA.”

Aisah also expressed her sadness over the Uma Bakung fire which razed 30 units or ‘bilek’ of the 40-unit longhouse on November 19. Sarawak Energy provided immediate relief in the form of food and clothing to the affected villagers.

Sarawak Energy also provided immediate relief aid to the fire victims during the major fire incidents back in 2013 and 2017. 

Adding on, Jiwari Abdullah, Sarawak Energy General Manager for Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability felt that emergency response training must be carried out for the communities regardless of age and gender.

“Through feedback gathered from the communities, the fires mostly started in the kitchen area. Since women tend to spend more time at home taking care of the family, it is therefore important for them to learn to use firefighting equipment and to participate in emergency response training, “he said.

Longhouse chiefs Maren Uma Ellison Duren Lihan, Maren Uma Huvang Liah and Maren Uma Lesley Luyoh Akah of Uma Bawang, Uma Daro and Uma Aging Belaga commended Sarawak Energy’s contribution in this cause. 

“Today, we witness a historic event as we are presented with a brand new fully-equipped fire engine vehicle from Sarawak Energy. The contribution, coupled with the soon-to-be-completed Mini Station, Bomba Sukarela Sg Asap will definitely improve our efficiency and effectiveness in mitigating fire risk for the whole community of Sungai Asap,” said Councilor Tirah.

Tirah said that Persatuan BOMBA Sukarela Sungai Asap members were at the site when the Uma Bakung fire incident occurred, and the team helped to put out the fire as well as provided care to the fire victims.

To continue improving their fire-fighting skills, Persatuan BOMBA Sukarela Sungai Asap will undergo further training with BOMBA Bintulu Zone and this is scheduled to kick off next year. The association also intends to recruit more members from each longhouse within the Resettlement.  

Sarawak Energy is committed to a long-term sustainable partnership with the Bakun communities.  Since the acquisition of Bakun Hydroelectric Plant (HEP) in 2017, Sarawak Energy has worked closely with the communities on several programmes such as Fire Safety Awareness and Prevention Programmes with the association and BOMBA Bintulu zone for the 15 longhouses in the Bakun Resettlement area for both Sungai Asap and Apau Koyan.

Sarawak Energy also provided training for the members of the association as well as contributed fire extinguishers and firefighting equipment to the villagers.

Sarawak Energy also provides annual support to the community representative groups such as Peng Maren-Maren Uma, Belaga Action Community (BAC) and Balui Lake Native Association (BLNA) as part of their community development programmes.   Local events such as Belaga Regatta held in Belaga district, Apau Koyan Festival in Sungai Asap, Do’ Ledoh (Kayan community) and Lepa Ajau (Kenyah community) are supported by Sarawak Energy as well.

Sarawak Energy Executive Vice President for Corporate Services Aisah Eden hands over the new fire engine vehicle to the Chairman of Persatuan Bomba Sukarela Sungai Asap Cr Tirah @ Liwan Lawai. Also seen in the picture are Sarawak Energy General Manager for CSR and Sustainability Jiwari Abdullah (standing seventh from left) and Divisional Head for Fire Prevention and Safety, BOMBA Bintulu Tuan Gawai John (standing sixth from left).

The new fire engine vehicle.