KOTA BARU: Seventeen religious schools in the state have been identified as operating without permits from the Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM).
JBPM director Nazili Mahmood said the schools, located in several districts in Kelantan, were found to be at high risk in the event of a fire, as the buildings’ safety features are inadequate.
"We found that most of the pondok schools operating without permits are vulnerable to fires, because the electrical wiring systems and wooden structures are old," he said.
Nazili said the department has advised all the pondok school owners to increase safety measures, such as rewiring the premises, installing smoke detectors, as well as fixing grills which could be opened during emergencies.
"Based on our records, most fire cases involving pondok schools are due to short circuits, as well as negligence in using kitchen stoves and mosquito repellents," he said.
Nazili was responding to news of the fire at Tahfiz Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah, Jalan Keramat Unjung, Kuala Lumpur, which claimed the lives of 21 students and two teachers. — BERNAMA