The Housing and Local Government Ministry will call for tenders to supply flame-resistant wear to the Fire and Rescue Department on Jan 23.

Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said this is needed because many garments in use now do not meet the standard.

"Although the stipulation is for 6,000 pieces of flame-resistant clothing, I will ask (the cabinet) to allow for 9,000 pieces.

"We must have sufficient stock to replace damaged clothing. Long-term planning is required,” she told reporters after launching the Voluntary Marine Firefighting Team (PBSMarin) under the department in Tok Bali today.

Also present were Fire and Rescue Department deputy director-general (operations) Amer Yusof and Kelantan director Nazili Mahmood.

PBSMarin is the country’s first voluntary team to be set up by the department to assist with rescues at sea.

On a different topic, Zuraida told reporters that the inquest into firefighter Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim’s cause of death set for Feb 11 will look for the best outcome and uphold the law for all involved.

"All the witnesses have been lined up, and I have been made to understand that Adib's family has appointed five lawyers for the case, aside from a ministry lawyer who will keep a watching brief on the proceedings,” she said.

Zuraida was also asked on the standard operating procedure for food trucks, to which she replied her ministry has standardised the policies for such operations.

"It will be implemented nationwide along with guidelines for food truck operators. We can slap them with a fine if they do not follow the rules," she said.

- Bernama