BINTULU: Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, has emphasised that safety should be a top priority in longhouse design, particularly by incorporating fire breakers to prevent large-scale fires.
He stated that frequent fires in longhouses should serve as a lesson, underscoring the need to prioritise safety measures and disaster prevention.
“A longhouse must include fire breakers to stop flames from spreading throughout the entire structure.
“We have seen an example at Rumah Tinggang, Niah, where 17 doors were affected by fire but only half of the longhouse was destroyed, thanks to the presence of fire breakers.
“This highlights the importance of proper safety planning,” he said.
He made these remarks while visiting fire victims at Rumah Lapie Lai, Sungai Binai, Jalan Ulu Sebauh today.
In the fire incident that occurred at around 11.09 am on March 20, 27 out of the 30 doors at Rumah Lapie Lai were destroyed, leaving approximately 100 residents homeless.
According to Dr Rundi, in addition to prioritising safety, the choice of building materials should also be considered.
He suggested that bricks and cement serve as durable and low-maintenance alternatives to timber, which has become increasingly expensive.
“The price of timber is rising, so using bricks and cement is not only more cost-effective but also ensures greater durability,” he added.
Dr Rundi also urged community leaders and the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) to ensure that new longhouse designs adhere to established safety standards.
“Safety should never be taken lightly; instead, it must be planned from the outset.
“We cannot wait for a tragedy to happen before taking action. It is always better to be prepared in advance,” he stressed.
