JOHOR BARU: Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has decreed for the Fire and Rescue department to identify schools that are exposed to the risk of fire in Johor.
While conveying condolences to the families of those killed in yesterday's tahfiz school fire in Kuala Lumpur, the ruler urged for immediate action to guarantee fire safety measures were in place at all madrasah, tuition centres, boarding schools, and primary and secondary schools in the state.
“All building by-laws must be strictly complied with. Local authorities must take action to close down any premises found operating illegally.
“It is especially important that school buildings, including privately-run tahfiz schools, meet full safety standards,” Sultan Ibrahim told the Johor Royal Press Office via a statement issued on his official Facebook page.
Sultan Ibrahim said all premises used for learning purposes must have proper licences or permits or risked being shut down immediately.
He said there was an urgent need for all concerned parties to carry out these measures following the loss of so many lives in the tahfiz school fire.
He said everyone must take safety seriously to ensure a tragedy like this does not occur in Johor.
Sultan Ibrahim said he was extremely saddened by the tragic loss of lives in the fire, and that his thoughts and prayers went out to those who were mourning the loss of their loved ones.
“I am shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives. I pray Allah will give the families strength and patience to grieve the loss of their loved ones,” he said.
In echoing the ruler's concerns, Permaisuri Johor Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah said that she hoped there would not be a repeat of such tragedies.
"May such a tragedy never recur. Our family conveys their condolences to the parents and families of victims of the tahfiz school fire that occured yesterday," said Raja Zarith Sofiah on her Facebook page.
A total of 23 people, comprising 21 teenage students and two wardens died in a fire that occured at the Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah tahfiz school in Jalan Keramat Ujung, Kampung Datuk Keramat, Kuala Lumpur at about 5.15am yesterday.