The federal government approves RM278.9 million for 86 fire and rescue projects under the 13th Malaysia Plan’s first rolling plan.
KUANTAN: The Federal Government has approved an annual ceiling of RM278.9 million in development expenditure for the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) to implement 86 projects under the First Rolling Plan of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).
Housing and Local Government deputy minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu said the allocation covers 27 new projects and 59 ongoing projects nationwide this year.
She said seven facility development projects are currently being implemented in Pahang under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) and First Rolling Plan of the 13MP, including the acquisition of the Gohtong Jaya Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) building and quarters, the construction of Benta BBP, and the Tioman BBP and quarters.
“The government is also undertaking upgrading works for the Bentong BBP and Kuantan BBP, the reconstruction of the Triang BBP, as well as preliminary site works for the Tanjung Lumpur BBP,” she said in her speech at the opening ceremony of the Sungai Lembing BBP, officiated by the Sultan of Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah here today.
She said the RM6 million Sungai Lembing BBP was built on a seven-acre site and is the 29th BBP in Pahang.
Aiman Athirah said the BBP began operations on Feb 15 to strengthen the delivery of fire and rescue services to about 15,000 residents in Sungai Lembing and surrounding areas.
“The ministry hopes the Sungai Lembing BBP will not only serve as a fire and rescue operations centre, but also grow into a one-stop centre that imparts knowledge, skills and community awareness towards producing more citizen lifesavers,” she said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Economy Minister and Paya Besar member of Parliament Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah said the construction of the Sungai Lembing BBP reinforces the area’s development ecosystem, which is being enhanced through various development and conservation projects.
He said efforts to revive Sungai Lembing as a heritage town include initiatives such as the restoration of the PCCL Cinema, development of ecotourism products, construction of a digital museum, upgrading of the Sungai Lembing Tunnel, and efforts to elevate the area as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
“All these development efforts would be meaningless if safety aspects are not given due attention. Following the decree of the Sultan of Pahang, the construction of the Sungai Lembing BBP was successfully realised.
“This station not only strengthens emergency preparedness but also complements the development of Sungai Lembing as a safe, modern and prosperous heritage town,” he said.
Also present were Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail and State Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsuddin.
