THOSE responsible for the fire that claimed 23 lives at Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah tahfiz school should take accountability instead of blaming it on fate.

Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF) director Dr Ahmad Farouk Musa said those who claimed the tragedy was “fated” is putting the blame on God instead of taking responsibility on the incident.

“They are putting the blame on God rather than themselves.

“We have to do the best to ensure the safety of people. They (those responsible) must be accountable,” he told The Malaysian Insight at the sideline of a book launch held in Kuala Lumpur today.

Meanwhile, Hulu Kelang assemblyman Saari Sungib said it is a difficult issue but what has happened should be a lesson instead of saying it was “fated”.

“Takdir (fate) means you work to understand (the tragedy). The incident must be a lesson to be learned,” he said.

Last week, 21 pupils and two wardens were killed in a blaze at the tahfiz school in Kampung Datuk Keramat, Kuala Lumpur.

The director-general of the Fire and Rescue Department Wan Mohd Nor Ibrahim said in a statement that petrol had been doused on the door, towel rack, shoe rack and wall of the school.

Seven boys aged between 11 and 18 have been remanded since September 15 in connection with the fire.

The remand order ended yesterday but was extended until September 29 to allow police to complete their investigations.

Yesterday, the families of more than 10 victims have come together to seek justice and have agreed to appoint a lawyer to deal with the school’s management.

The owners of Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah have kept mum on the allegations surrounding the school’s safety record.

Among the allegations were that the school began operations without permits and a CCC (certificate of completion and compliance) and did not have sufficient escape routes in case of fire.

Meanwhile, the school’s principal Mohd Zahid Mahmood said the families and kin of victims should discuss with the school management before taking any action.

He also said the school had no intention to sideline the families but had been unable to meet them due to time constraints. – AFP, September 23, 2017.