Curtin Malaysia among signatories to fire prevention and suppression MoU

Miri – 8 March 2024 – Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) was recently among the signatories of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Natural Resources and Environmental Board (NREB) concerning the NREB’s ‘Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Fire Prevention and Suppression for Private Landowners in Kuala Baram’.

Attending the signing ceremony at a leading hotel on March 1 were Curtin Malaysia’s Dean of Learning and Teaching Professor Tang Fu Ee, who signed the MoU on behalf Curtin Malaysia; Head of Civil and Construction Engineering Department Associate Professor Wong Kwong Soon, Head of Campus Security Anuar Edrews, Assistant Campus Security Officer (Administration) Radzlan Rasit, Dean of External Engagement Associate Professor Ir. Lim Chye Ing, Senior Lecturer Dr. Tay Ai Chen, and Safety Coordinator Petrus Kalom Anak Isut.

Curtin Malaysia was one of three private landowners in the Kuala Baram area agreeing, under the MoU, to help prevent peat fires in the Kuala Baram area. The university’s campus spans 1,200 acres in Senadin, surrounded by peat swamps and wetlands teeming with indigenous and migratory water birds and other wildlife. The other landowners were Miri North City Development Sdn. Bhd and Miri Housing Development Realty Sdn. Bhd.

During the signing ceremony, four other signatories renewed their commitment to implement the revised SOP under the MoU. They were Naim Holdings Berhad, represented by Permy Development Sdn. Bhd. and Naim Land Sdn. Bhd., Pantai Bayu Indah Sdn. Bhd., Linau Mewah Sdn. Bhd., and Woodman Kuala Baram Estate Sdn. Bhd.

Officiating at the event was Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin representing Deputy Premier of Sarawak Datuk Amar Haji Awang Tengah Ali Hasan. In his opening address delivered by Dato Sri Lee, Datuk Amar Haji Awang Tengah described the MoU as a well-planned initiative to address the reoccurrence of peat fire outbreaks in Kuala Baram, an area with approximately 8,000 hectares of peat fire-prone land near Bandar Baru Permyjaya and Desa Senadin.

He highlighted the significant progress made in tackling the annual problem, citing a decline in peat area burnt from 2,218 hectares in 2019 to 683.5 hectares in 2020, and just 14.5 hectares in 2023. He also emphasised the importance of agency and landowner collaboration, sharing of experiences and resources, and periodic monitoring of fire-prone areas to achieve such tremendous results.

He added that the NREB’s initiative supported government efforts to ensure environmental sustainability in the development of Sarawak through ‘trend-setting’, showcasing the ability of landowners to work with relevant agencies towards a common goal of ensuring greater environmental management and protection. He said it is very much in line with Sarawak’s Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS 2030), where environmental sustainability is one of three main pillars supporting Sarawak’s drive to achieve high income status by 2030.

Also in attendance at the event were Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Sebastian Ting; Controller of Environmental Quality Sarawak Jack Anak Liam; Elizabeth Anak Dato’ Nyomek, representing the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Energy and Environment Sustainability (MEESty); Nora Shafia Muhiyuddin, representing the Resident of Miri; and Ismadi Bin Haji Ismail, Head of Malaysia Fire and Rescue Department Miri Zone 6.

Meanwhile, Professor Tang remarked that Curtin Malaysia is fully committed to collaborating with other stakeholders in averting peat fires, being located in a peat fire prone area and having experienced the dangers and ill-effects effects of such fires in the past. The university believes long-term solutions to the perennial problem need to be found and took the initiative to host Miri’s first Peat Fire Conference to discuss peat fire prevention and suppression in 2020.

Professor Tang added that, as a university that advocates a greener environment, teaches environmental engineering, and is engaged in environmental research, Curtin Malaysia is well positioned to offer viable ideas and solutions.

For additional information about Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my or find Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, or TikTok.

Prof Tang (4th right) and other signatories posing for group photo with Ting, Lee, Jack (7th to 9th left).

Prof Tang (3rd right) holding copy of the MoU while other representatives of Curtin Malaysia look on.