Sarawak tops fire and rescue air requests, with Labuan suggested as a secondary air base to improve response times
PETALING JAYA: Sarawak recorded the highest number of fire and rescue air asset requests at 130 applications between 2020 and 2025, followed by Sabah (27) and Labuan with only four, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu said a total of 161 aircraft deployment requests were received by the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM) air base in Miri, Sarawak, during the five-year period.
She said the existing Sarawak Regional Air Base is currently capable of meeting operational needs across Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan.
“The Sarawak Regional Air Base operates with two aircraft that can be deployed to any disaster location throughout Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan.
“The position of this air base is highly strategic, located at a central point between Sabah and Sarawak, thereby providing significant advantages in terms of preparedness and air asset mobilisation.”
Aiman Athirah was responding to Labuan MP Datuk Indera Dr Suhaili Abdul Rahman, who asked whether the ministry plans to designate Labuan as a Fire and Rescue air base for emergency and oil and gas logistics, noting the territory currently relies on the Miri base with a two- to four-hour travel time.
Suhaili proposed that Labuan to be considered as a secondary Fire and Rescue air hub to improve emergency response time, particularly for forest fires, maritime disasters and oil and gas-related incidents.
Responding to concerns on travel time, she acknowledged that flight duration from Miri to Labuan is about two hours.
“Yes, the distance from Miri to Labuan is about two hours. From Miri to Kota Kinabalu is about two and a half hours, and from Miri to Kuching is about three hours.
“We take note of the proposal and the views presented. The establishment of a second air base in Borneo in the future will depend on the availability of suitable sites and strategic locations.”
The Sun Malaysia
