Engaging with BOMBA: Ezra & Macquarie's Commitment to Fire Safety Dialogue in Malaysia

About MICCI

The Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MICCI) is one of Malaysia's most established business chambers, representing a diverse network of local and international companies across sectors. At its core, MICCI exists to bridge the gap between the private sector and government — creating platforms for the kind of dialogue that leads to better policy, clearer compliance, and stronger industry outcomes. Ezra & Macquarie is proud to be an active member of MICCI Central Branch.

A Platform for Industry Dialogue

The delegation was led by Dr Lim Chong Ling, Deputy Chairman of MICCI Central Branch, and warmly received by the Director General of BOMBA, Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad. Ezra & Macquarie was represented by our Group Managing Director, Dr Ricky Gouthaman, Managing Partner Ms Fern Li Hui, and Engineering & Training Manager Mr Shathiswaran Muthalagau.

The session brought together industry players from various sectors, each with their own experiences navigating fire safety regulations and BOMBA's business premises application processes. What united the group was a shared interest in seeing Malaysia's fire safety framework evolve in step with the demands of a rapidly changing industry landscape — and a recognition that productive engagement with regulators is how that evolution happens.

What We Brought to the Table

Ezra & Macquarie took the opportunity to present on three areas we believe deserve focused attention as Malaysia continues to grow and modernise:

Electric Vehicle (EV) Battery Fire Risks The rapid growth of EV adoption across Malaysia brings with it a new class of fire risk that existing frameworks are still catching up to. EV battery fires — particularly thermal runaway events — behave very differently from conventional fires, requiring specialised suppression approaches, containment strategies, and first responder training. We shared our perspective on international practices and what Malaysia can proactively adopt to stay ahead of this challenge.

International Fire Suppression Standards Effective fire suppression is not one-size-fits-all. Different environments — from commercial buildings to industrial facilities — demand different systems and standards. We highlighted the gap between current local practices and international benchmarks, and discussed how greater regulatory clarity in this space would benefit both industry compliance and public safety outcomes. The conversation here was candid and constructive, with BOMBA demonstrating genuine openness to understanding how international standards could inform local policy.

Tunnel and Critical Infrastructure Safety As Malaysia continues to invest in large-scale infrastructure development, tunnels and underground facilities present unique fire safety challenges that require dedicated attention. We raised key considerations around detection systems, evacuation protocols, and suppression design — areas where international standards have evolved significantly and where Malaysia has a real opportunity to establish itself as a regional leader.

Why This Engagement Matters to Us

Ezra & Macquarie has an established set up in Malaysia, and our presence here is not incidental. We are building for the long term in this market, and that means going beyond delivering services to actively contributing to the conversations that shape the environment we all operate in.

Fire safety sits at the intersection of public welfare, regulatory compliance, and industry practice. It is an area where getting things right genuinely matters — and where the private sector has both the expertise and the responsibility to contribute meaningfully. Our participation in this delegation was an expression of that responsibility.

The Role of Public-Private Collaboration

What stood out most from the engagement was not just the content of the discussion, but the spirit in which it was conducted. Datuk Nor Hisham and the BOMBA team were receptive and engaged, creating the kind of environment where industry concerns could be raised honestly and constructively. That openness is not something to take for granted, and we left the session genuinely encouraged.

Our sincere appreciation goes to the MICCI Central team, in particular Dr Lim Chong Ling and Dr Shaun Edward Cheah, for organising this visit and for their continued commitment to strengthening the relationship between industry and government in Malaysia.

We look forward to continuing this dialogue — and to more engagements like this one.

PHOTO: MICCI Linkedin