THE Kuala Juru Volunteer Fire and Rescue Team (PBS Kuala Juru) has received its first fire engine in over 20 years, thanks to an RM105,000 allocation from the Penang government.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow officiated the handover ceremony today in Kuala Juru, a small fishing village in a remote part of Bukit Mertajam, Seberang Perai.
During the event, Chow also announced an additional RM20,000 allocation from his Batu Kawan parliamentary constituency fund in response to a request from Wahid Othman, chairman of the Seberang Perai Fishermen’s Association Unit ‘B’ Kuala Juru and chairman of the Kuala Juru Volunteer Fire and Rescue Team, for the purchase of firefighting equipment.
In addition, local resident Sing Kheng Seng contributed an RM15,000 donation to support the purchase of the fire engine.
Chow also revealed that the state government is considering the construction of affordable homes on a 27-acre idle land in Kuala Juru.
Among those present at the event were state senior assistant fire superintendent Ahmad Nazri Zakariah, state fire officer Ahmad Nasaruddin Abdul Manan, Perai senior fire officer II, Penang Fishermen’s Area Association chairman Mahdi Mat Rozi, Village Community Management Council (MPKK) members, Masjid Jamek Kuala Juru representatives and members of the local fishing community.
In his speech, Chow commended the Kuala Juru Volunteer Fire and Rescue Team and the Fishermen’s Area Association for jointly organising a gotong-royong lunch, highlighting their strong sense of community.
He also praised the volunteer firefighters for their commitment to protecting lives and property.
“The state government remains committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen community resilience. This year, we have allocated RM360,000 to be distributed among 36 active volunteer fire brigades across Penang,” he said.
Chow noted that houses in Kampung Kuala Juru are built close to one another, increasing the risk of rapid fire spread.
“With this new fire engine, I hope the volunteer firefighters will be better equipped to provide emergency assistance not just in Kampung Kuala Juru but also in the surrounding areas,” he added.
Reflecting on past fire incidents, Wahid recalled that when he was a child, a fire destroyed 12 houses in Kuala Juru. More recently, in 2022, a fire claimed the life of a person with disabilities (OKU) in the village.
“We are grateful to the state government and donors like Sing Kheng Seng for their contributions in helping us acquire this fire engine,” Wahid said.
Looking ahead, he expressed hope that with continued support from the government and private sector, Kuala Juru would receive a new jetty and tourist boats to further boost local tourism.
He also shared that their fishermen’s unit has successfully established homestay accommodations and hall rental services to generate additional income for its 138 members, including single mothers and young individuals.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis
Video by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat