SIBU: Since his election as a state assemblyman in April, Yap Hoi Liong has seen three longhouses destroyed by fire.
The Dudong assemblyman is now calling on the authorities to address the problem, like equipping and teaching longhouse dwellers fire prevention and how to fight fire.
He said: “Since I was elected as a representative, three longhouses in Dudong constituency had been razed.”
He mentioned them as Rh Umpang in Sg Menyan, Rh Sebat and Rh Tony in Sg Assan.
Yap told a press conference yesterday that he would expect the Resident’s Office to take steps to improve safety measures in longhouses.
Noting that many longhouses were not equipped with fire extinguishers, he suggested that every longhouse should be given at least one.
“It would come in handy in protecting human lives and properties from fires,” he said, adding that longhouse dwellers should be taught how to handle fire extinguishers.
He also suggested the setting up of fire stations in Sibu Jaya township and Durin town.
The assemblyman also urged the minister of rural development to ensure that better quality building materials were used for construction of houses in the rural areas.