Nationwide daycare safety inspection results released in Malaysia
The Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) has carried out 1,172 inspections of childcare centres across Malaysia as of October, with 373 notices issued for non-compliance, Malay Mail has reported, citing Bernama.
The figures were shared by Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu during a question and answer session in Dewan Negara on 15/12/2025.
She was responding to Senator Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Mohammad Redzuan Othman on how Malaysia will ensure daycare centres and private education institutions operating in business complexes and shophouses comply with safety regulations.
Daycare safety enforcement to run on schedule
Aiman Athirah said the ministry, through JBPM, will implement enforcement through scheduled activities to eliminate fire hazards on premises.
Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu said: “The ministry, through JBPM, will implement enforcement through activities to eliminate fire hazards on premises, on a scheduled basis.
“This is to ensure that the premises always comply with the conditions set and do not make any modifications to the premises that were approved for the original plan,” she said during Dewan Negara.
Safety requirements listed for operators
Aiman Athirah said safety requirements include installing a fire safety system and providing at least two exits, including doors and exit stairs.
She also cited separation walls, fire extinguishers placed at easily visible exits, limits on cooking activities and the installation of self-contained smoke detectors.
Private education inspections also reported
Aiman Athirah said 234 inspections were conducted for private primary and secondary educational institutions during the same period.
She said 41 notices were issued following those inspections.
Licensing and monitoring data from 2024 and 2025
Aiman Athirah said that in 2024, local authorities (PBT) approved 1,208 business premises licences and carried out 723 monitoring and enforcement operations.
She said this resulted in 61 compounds and eight notices issued to licence owners.
She said that in 2025, local authorities approved 1,737 licences and conducted 472 monitoring and enforcement operations.
She said these operations led to 96 compounds and 23 notices.
Licensing process and stakeholder involvement
Aiman Athirah said the ministry supports stakeholder involvement to develop the private education sector through efforts to simplify business premises licence approvals.
She said this will be done while maintaining safety aspects and compliance with applicable laws.