KUALA LUMPUR: The Fire and Rescue Department received close to 35,000 distress calls for fires last year, says Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad.

The Fire and Rescue Department director-general said 34,389 cases were recorded, incurring losses of up to RM2.6bil.

He added that the Fire and Rescue Department received 28,489 calls involving losses of around RM2.2bil in 2022.

He said 747 fire cases were recorded throughout the department's Chinese New Year operations last year.

Of this, 17% comprised buildings

“This year, the department has devised a comprehensive strategy through increased enforcement by ensuring improved fire safety and buildings that are filled with people during festive seasons, such as shopping malls, homestays and hotels,” he said at the launch of the department’s Chinese New Year operations here on Friday (Feb 2).

Nor Hisham added that some 325 distress calls were received for incidents of drowning in 2023.

From these emergencies, 283 deaths were also recorded from drowning during this period.

This comprised locations such as beaches, rivers, lakes and waterfalls.

He said 10 locations had been identified as hotspots where drowning occurred.

They include Teluk Kemang in Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan; Sungai Teladas in Kemaman,

Terengganu; Tasik Puteri waterfall in Bukit Besi, Dungun, Terengganu; and Pantai Teluk Batik, in Lumut, Perak, among others.

“At the same time, the department will increase its patrols in stages while issuing reminders to those in recreational areas.

“We also advise the owners, management and patrons of either commercial or natural water bodies to ensure safety while carrying out water activities.

“Equip yourselves with life-saving and first aid basics to ensure early measures can be taken in untoward incidents,” he said.

Another focus of the Fire and Rescue Department during the coming festive celebration is the fire risks for vehicles, and preventing accidents, said Nor Hisham, adding that 3,592 emergency calls were received last year for vehicles catching fire.

“52 victims had perished from vehicle fires while 148 were hurt,” he said.

From Feb 7 to 13, an interagency operation involving the Fire and Rescue Department, Royal Malaysian Police, Road Transport Department, and St John's Malaysia will also be carried out.

This will be the 21st edition of such operations, Nor Hisham said.

The operation will cover 14 locations across eight states.

They are Johor, Negri Sembilan, Selangor, Perak, Penang and Kedah under Plus Highway, and Terengganu and Pahang under the East Coast Expressway.

“Assets will be readied here round the clock,” he said.

Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming and senior ministry officials were also present at the launch.