By Tania Lam
KUCHING: There has been an increase in the number of road accidents and people getting lost in the jungle since the Gawai celebration.
State Fire and Rescue Department (JPBM) director Khirudin Drahman said those who ventured too far into the jungle tended to panic, which did not help the situation.
“Those who have become disoriented should not panic but should instead alert the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) so that it can despatch search parties as soon as possible,” he advised.
“We are on call 24/7, ready to respond to any emergency call requiring our services,” he added.
On a lighter note, Khirudin commented that there had been no major fire incidents before and during the week of the double festivities.
“We carried out fire safety programmes two weeks before Gawai Dayak and Hari Raya,” he said, adding that these public awareness programmes had helped to minimise fire cases.
He urged the public to continue taking extra precautions when handling fires and to stay safe during the festive period.
