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TAWAU: The formation of the Tawau Emergency Mutual Aid (Tema) which also comprises 10 companies and agencies is seen as being capable of assisting the Sabah Fire and Rescue Department Malaysia (JBPM) in case of a fire or an emergency.

JBPM Sabah director, Abdul Razak Muda said the team which comprises 300 personnel would enable resources like facilities, manpower strength and expertise of parties involved to be put to use more efficiently.

“Each team member would be given basic fire-fighting and life-saving training techniques, handling of dangerous substances and if an incident should happen, they will be there as the first initiative.

“Tawau is the area with the most fires, especially with the presence of floating houses with factors such as being built close together and sea breeze conditions,” he told reporters after the launching of TEMA by Sabah Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports, Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy here Wednesday. Tawau Zone Fire and Rescue Station chief Sukur Hatta is TEMA chairman and its members include companies like Hap Seng Consolidated Berhad, FGV Refineries Sdn Bhd,  Sabah Ports Sdn Bhd, Teck Guan Group and Petron Oil Sdn Bhd.

Earlier, in his speech, Abdul Razak said six out of eight major fires that happened in Sabah this year occurred in the Tawau Zone which included Semporna, Kunak and Lahad Datu.

Among the major fires that occurred in Tawau was the one that destroyed 700 houses in Kampung Hidayat and also the fire that claimed the lives of a mother and her child in Kampung Titingan, he said.