LETTER | It is mind-boggling to know that the staircase at Block C, PPR Kampung Baru Air Panas, Kuala Lumpur was barb-wired by the authorities as part of the enhanced MCO which was implemented on July 3.

Following confusion and anxiety among residents who were worried about their safety should an emergency arise the barbwire was removed by the Fire and Rescue Services Department.

According to a media report on July 4, the decision to barbwire the staircase was taken during a coordination meeting which involved security agencies on enhanced MCO the previous day.

Wangsa Maju district police chief Ashari Abu Samah said the approval was given by the Fire Department.

However, the department's director-general Hamdan Wahid rebutted the allegation, saying the agency did not give the approval.

The report quoted Hamdan as indicating that obstructing any means of escape in an emergency of any premise is in violation of fire safety regulations.

Ashari in defending the setting up of the barbed wire setting up pointed out that residents could use other routes in the building to escape in the event of an emergency.

The staircase was barb-wired to restrict the movement of residents as only Block C of the low-cost housing unit was placed under enhanced MCO to control the surge of Covid-19 infection.

It must be noted that in the case of fire or any emergency, occupants of the building have to run to the nearest exit/staircase to escape/evacuate at the quickest time possible.

To say that the barbwire could be dismantled if there was an emergency is absurd.

Every minute is required to evacuate occupants out safely. There is no time to look for another exit should the nearest one be obstructed.

It is common sense that no escape route should be obstructed.

In the case of a housing building, occupants are familiar with the escape routes.

That is why the alarm was raised when they realised that the staircase (exit route) was obstructed by the barbed wire.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.