KOTA TINGGI - The state government will install more Life-Saving Appliances (Lisa) in several locations, especially beaches, in a bid to reduce drowning cases in the state.
State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said three Lisa units have been installed in Johor, namely at the Pantai Awam Desaru and Pantai Batu Layar here and Gunung Ledang Resort in Tangkak.
He said another Lisa unit would be installed at Pantai Tanjung Balau here by the end of this year.
"This Lisa unit is for the public and needs to be added, especially in all coastal areas. Perhaps, in the next budget application, the state government will increase the allocation," he said when asked to comment on the need to increase the number of Lisa units in Johor.
He said this at a press conference after officiating the launch of the Johor water activity safety awareness campaign at Pantai Tanjung Balau today.
Also present were Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Operations director Datuk Ahmad Izram Osman and Johor JBPM director Senior Assistant Fire Commissioner Siti Rohani Nadir.
The Lisa safety boxes are equipped with items such as safety vests, first-aid kits and ropes that can be used by the public to help rescue victims initially, in addition to being equipped with sirens to warn visitors and notify nearby stations.
Mohd Jafni said there was a total of 276 water rescue cases recorded from 2021 until September this year, with 110 fatalities and 13 people injured.
He added that the Johor JBPM has also identified 432 flood hotspots, and stressed the importance of installing the Lisa which can be used in an emergency.
He also hoped that the Water Activity Safety Awareness Campaign organised by the Johor JBPM and the Johor Southeast Development Board, would raise awareness among the public about the importance of maintaining safety to prevent drowning incidents.
Meanwhile, Siti Rohani said that among the activities held in conjunction with the campaign were the Let's Learn to Swim programme, Symbols and Signs, Basic Rescue, Water Safety Tips and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). - BERNAMA