Johor Sultan calls for safety checks following tahfiz fire tragedy

JOHOR BARU: The Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has ordered the Fire and Rescue Department to identify schools at high risk of catching fire in the state.
He said the safety checks must cover madrasahs, tuition centres, boarding schools, primary and secondary schools.
“All building by-laws must be strictly complied with. Local authorities must take action to close down any premises found operating illegally.
“It is especially important that school buildings, including privately run tahfiz schools, meet full safety standards,” he said in a statement issued by the Johor Royal Press Office.
Sultan Ibrahim said this following the fire at the Tahfiz Darul Ittifaqyah religious residential school in Kuala Lumpur which claimed the lives of 21 students and two wardens.
He also expressed his sadness over the tragedy and conveyed his condolences to the families of the victims.
“I am shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives. I pray Allah will give the families strength and patience to grieve for the loss of their loved ones,” he said.
Sultan Ibrahim said the local authorities must take action to close down any premises found operating illegally, adding that all concerned parties must ensure
a tragedy like this does not occur in Johor.