Death of 6 firemen: Unfair to criticise SOP, says minister

Death of 6 firemen: Unfair to criticise SOP, says minister

Zuraida Kamaruddin says a safety expert who questioned the standard operating procedures should read the full report before drawing conclusions.

Six firemen died during a search and rescue mission at a mining pool. (Bernama pic)
KUALA LUMPUR:
Zuraida Kamaruddin today said a statement by a safety expert who questioned the standard operating procedures (SOP) of the Fire and Rescue Department following the drowning tragedy in Puchong last Wednesday was unfair.

The housing and local government minister said the expert had to get the actual picture and wait for a full report of the investigation before drawing conclusions.

“I know about the statement, but I think he needs to go to the scene of the incident to get the actual picture and read the full report, then make a statement,” she said at the Lembah Pantai Division polling centre for the PKR polls today.

Peninsula Malaysia Oil and Gas Professional Association (PMOGPA) chairman Marikh Azahari Ramli reportedly questioned the procedures and strategies used in the rescue operation.

He had apparently said that it was not suitable for a situation where there was fast-flowing water, especially at night.

Zuraida said her ministry did not rule out the possibility of reviewing the existing SOP, especially during rescue missions in such conditions.

Last Wednesday, six firefighters from the Water Rescue Team (PPDA) drowned during a search and rescue operation for a teenager at a mining pool in Taman Putra Perdana, Puchong.

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