Construction of 4 fire dept airbases to cost RM200mil

 

Fire and rescue department director-general Abdul Wahab Mat Yasin said the central airbase in Subang will be completed in 2025. (Bernama pic)

JOHOR BAHRU: The long-term plan to build four fire and rescue department airbases in the southern region, east coast, Sabah and Sarawak will cost an estimated RM200 million.

Bernama reported fire and rescue department director-general Abdul Wahab Mat Yasin as saying that the department was now identifying suitable sites.

He said the southern airbase would be built in Senai, Johor, while the east coast will see it built either at the department’s Wakaf Tapai academy in Terengganu or in Kuantan, Pahang.

“Each airbase will be equipped with an administration office, hangar, and helipad.

“The estimated cost for each base is RM50 million, so four airbases will cost a total RM200 million,” he said at a media conference here.

Also present were Johor fire and rescue department director Siti Rohani Nadir and her deputy, Rizal Buang.

Wahab said the central airbase in Subang, now under construction, was expected to be completed in 2025. Work on the northern airbase in Bertam, Penang, would be launched on Nov 18.

He said the airbases would ensure quick response, especially for rescue missions, as well as provide logistical assistance during floods.

Wahab said the construction of the airbase in Johor should be given priority as there were large oil and gas industries at high risk of fire in Pengerang.

He hoped the state government would help identify a suitable site in Senai.

“This is because Johor does not only have floods, there are huge industries such as oil and gas plants in Pengerang that are at high risk.

“We need an airbase to provide faster assistance and fire and rescue services,” he said. - FMT