Speaker approves opposition's motion after another fire at govt health facility

Dewan Rakyat speaker Azhar Azizan Harun has approved an emergency motion by the opposition following another fire at a government health facility.

Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii had submitted the emergency motion to debate the issue of fire safety at government health facilities following a fire at a government health clinic at Jalan Masjid, Kuching, last Sunday.

The fire caused 40 percent damage to the premises and destroyed 80 percent of its stock that included medicine, Covid-19 vaccines. alcohol for sterilisation and other equipment.

Yii said he was thankful that no one was killed but noted that it has been a persistent issue for government health facilities including hospitals.

"Many hospitals across the country have yet to get their fire safety certification from the Fire and Rescue Department.

'This is highly dangerous and a timebomb that could go off at any time, like what happened at Hospital Sultanah Aminah, Johor Bharu, which claimed six lives in 2016," he said in the motion.

Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii

Azhar agreed that the issue was specific, urgent and involves public interest - the three criteria for an emergency motion to be approved.

Azhar approved the emergency motion to be debated in the special chambers of the Dewan Rakyat that runs in parallel to the main sitting in the House.

Yii wants the Health Ministry to detail its plan in assisting the damaged health clinic at Jalan Masjid, Kuching, and more importantly, its commitment to address the issue of fire safety at its premises.

He said the safety of these premises was of paramount importance, especially at a time of the Covid-19 pandemic when they can get crowded.

"We don't want to put Covid-19 patients in a death trap due to the failure of implementing safety measures or obtaining the safety certification properly," he said. - Mkini