KOTA KINABALU (May 6): The Sabah Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM) has increased its manpower in preparation for the end of the Northeast Monsoon season in the state.

Its newly appointed director, Mohd Pisar Aziz, said various measures have been implemented, including the active involvement of 350 auxiliary firefighters.

“A total of 101 newly trained auxiliary firefighters have just completed their training, and we believe this addition will help ease the workload of full-time personnel while improving fire and rescue services, especially in rural and suburban areas,” he told the media after paying a courtesy visit to the Head of State of Sabah, Tun Musa Aman, at Istana Seri Kinabalu on Tuesday.

According to him, the visit aimed to brief the Head of State on the department’s flood response operations and to inform him of Mohd Pisar’s appointment as the new JBPM director, effective April 7.

“Aside from informing Tun Musa of my new appointment, I also shared updates on the department’s operations, including preparations for the tail end of the Northeast Monsoon season and the ongoing flood incidents in several districts such as Beaufort and Sook,” he said.

Before his posting in Sabah, Mohd Pisar served as the director of JBPM Melaka and has extensive experience in fire investigations and safety.