PUTRAJAYA, Feb 9 — The Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) has frozen leave for 80 per cent of its personnel, or about 12,000, to ensure maximum preparedness throughout the Chinese New Year (CNY) festive period.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the measure was implemented to ensure that fire prevention and emergency response operations during the celebrations can be carried out in an organised, systematic, and effective manner.
“The leave of 80 per cent of firefighters has been frozen from this week until the end of the Chinese New Year festive season,” he told the media after officiating the Fire Machinery Handover Ceremony and Ops Siaga Raya 2026 today.
Nga added that throughout 2025, JBPM conducted more than 21,000 building inspections nationwide, exceeding its initial target of 18,000 inspections. As a result, 11,260 notices were issued involving 1,612 premises across the country.
“These notices are not meant to punish, but to educate. We hope those who receive them will comply with the Fire Department's instructions and take immediate preventive measures before legal action becomes necessary,” he said.
Meanwhile, Nga expressed hope that property losses from fires would decline this year, compared with RM2.24 billion in 2025.
“Our target is to ensure that the figure continues to fall, even as more development projects are carried out. This can only be achieved if we collectively cultivate a culture of safety and awareness,” he said.
Earlier, in his speech, the minister stressed that safety should not be the responsibility of ministries and agencies alone, but must be embedded as a societal norm.
“When using fireworks, stay away from residential areas to reduce fire risks and ensure that children are always under adult supervision.
“Do not place furniture, bicycles or unused items in corridors, emergency stairways, or condominium passageways, as these can obstruct escape routes during emergencies,” Nga said.
He noted that the government wants all citizens to be aware, knowledgeable, and capable of practising basic enforcement and risk management measures independently.
