KUALA LUMPUR — The Fire and Rescue Services Department has rolled out fuel-saving measures nationwide, including restricting non-essential vehicle movement, to optimise resources amid rising fuel costs and supply pressures.
Director-general Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad said the initiative is aimed at ensuring petrol and diesel are strictly reserved for emergency response, with no compromise to operational readiness.
“All fire and rescue operational vehicles will continue to respond as usual. However, for utility vehicles and non-critical activities, movement will be limited,” he told reporters after the closing ceremony of the Volunteer Fire Brigade (PBS) Convention and the Penang Fire and Rescue Department Public Safety and Awareness Campaign in Batu Kawan, Penang, last night, reported Bernama.
Under the directive, state directors have been instructed to defer or reschedule departmental programmes and public education initiatives, while meetings are increasingly conducted online to reduce travel.
Nor Hisham stressed that the department’s core mission remains unaffected despite the cost-containment measures.
The move comes as Volunteer Fire Brigades (PBS) raised concerns over the absence of fuel subsidies, despite playing a key role in emergency response.
Acknowledging the issue, Nor Hisham said the matter would be reviewed before being brought to the government for consideration.
“PBS has yet to receive fuel subsidies, but the issue can be submitted to the government, as they also rely on diesel and petrol for operations,” he said.
The tightening of resources coincides with a sharp rise in fire incidents, which have surged 40% over the past two weeks due to prolonged dry conditions.
Major fires in Pahang and Johor have already scorched more than 100 hectares of land, roughly equivalent to the size of a small township.
Nor Hisham warned that illegal open burning has exacerbated the situation.
“If there is no open burning, fires will not happen,” he said.
To support firefighting efforts, the government is set to begin cloud-seeding operations on Monday, aimed at inducing rainfall to replenish water sources and assist crews in containing the widespread blazes. – April 5, 2026