FIRE BRIGADE POLICY ON ERECTION OF TARPAULIN SHEDS FOR PARTIES

Mr Ho See Beng asked the Minister for Culture and Social Affairs what is the policy of the Fire Brigade Authorities in regard to permits for the erection of tarpaulin sheds to shelter the audience at a Chinese "wayang", a dinner party, etc.

Inche Othman Bin Wok: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Fire Brigade authorities have no objection to the use of tarpaulin sheds for parties and other social functions generally. For the performance of Chinese wayangs on wooden stages in public streets, however, we generally discourage the use of tarpaulin sheds on the ground that such sheds tend to increase the danger to members of the public watching a wayang should a fire break out on the stage or in the vicinity.

This is a policy which quite obviously must be administered with due regard to the particular circumstances of each case, and cases of refusal brought to the attention of the Ministry are reviewed sympathetically resulting in the Fire Brigade's objections being over-ruled in some cases.