KUALA LUMPUR: The collaboration between the police and the Fire and Rescue Department is vital to avoid clashes in fire investigations, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Zahid said that beginning today, to coordinate the process, only one agency will be involved in the preliminary investigation of a fire incident.
“With this smart collaboration, the investigation process will be smooth and enable both agencies to deliver the best service to the public,” he said in his speech at the Police College in Cheras, here today.
Zahid earlier witnessed the signing of a collaboration between police and the Fire and Rescue Department.
He said the cooperation not only takes place in the course of the investigation but in appointing a spokesperson to avoid clashes of facts.
Meanwhile, Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar said the police’s willingness to collaborate with the Fire and Rescue Department is an honour and a recognition to the department as well as the ministry.
Noh said the signing of the collaboration is in line with the spirit of the National Blue Ocean Strategy towards accomplishing the success of the Government Transformation Programme.
He said the close-knit collaboration between two agencies was proven in the arson case involving the Darul Quran Itifaqiyah religious school in Keramat.
“The fire happened in the morning. The Fire and Rescue investigations unit had swiftly investigated and identified the incident as arson at noon.
“The department notified the police who then arrested the culprits in less than 48 hours. This incident is an example of good collaboration between the police and the department.”
