KUCHING: The Sarawak Government is working to make it mandatory to install Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in every building in the state in the future.

Sarawak Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian said that the government through the Ministry for Public Health, Housing and Local Government (MPHLG) will hold discussions with the Sarawak Attorney General, Dato Sri Saferi Ali to table a Building Ordinance to make the matter mandatory.

“I have asked the Sarawak Attorney General to see whether we can bring forward a Building Ordinance or not, so that in Sarawak, all public places are required to have AEDs on a mandatory basis.

“This is because our number one disease is heart disease with more and more people collapsing suddenly, that is why we want this matter to be mandatory through law.

“To table a law under the Building Ordinance, I need the State Attorney General because I cannot arbitrarily table it in Parliament and announce it myself since there are procedures and processes that need to be followed,” he said.

He said this when speaking at the Handover Ceremony of New Ambulances to PBSM Malaysia Sarawak Branch, here, on Thursday.

Datuk Amar Professor Dr. Sim added that his ministry is currently considering installing AEDs in Sarawak Government buildings first, before proceeding to public buildings after the Building Ordinance is approved.

During the ceremony, he also witnessed the handover of a cheque worth RM43,270.05 from Thian Lee Marketing Sdn Bhd Managing Director, Joseph Ho to PBSM Malaysia Sarawak Branch. -UKASnews