New Fire Station Proposed In Chiku To Improve Emergency Response

KOTA BHARU, July 14 (Bernama) -- The Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) has proposed building a new fire station in Chiku, Gua Musang, to enhance rescue operations along the high-risk Gua Musang-Kuala Krai route.

Kelantan JBPM director Farhan Sufyan Borhan said the proposal, submitted for next year’s planning, targets Chiku’s strategic location along the 117-kilometre stretch and aims to reduce emergency response times significantly.

“We learned from the recent UPSI student bus crash on the Jeli-Gerik road. Now, we are concerned about the accident risks on the Gua Musang-Kuala Krai route, frequently used by travellers to Kota Bharu.

“If accidents occur near Chiku or Galas, the nearest stations in Gua Musang, Kuala Krai or Dabong face lengthy travel times, delaying rescue efforts,” he told reporters after JBPM Kelantan’s monthly assembly in Tunjong today.

Farhan noted that despite Chiku’s low population density and moderate development, it remains a key route, posing significant accident risks.

Currently, the area lacks volunteer firefighter teams and depends entirely on distant stations.

He said the proposal has previously been submitted at the highest levels and is being resubmitted this year in hopes of securing government approval.

“If approved, it will be Kelantan’s 23rd fire station, playing a crucial role in strengthening JBPM’s emergency readiness and community protection,” he said.

He added that JBPM Kelantan will continue identifying other high-risk areas needing fire stations to safeguard public safety.

-- BERNAMA