He said the director of the fire and rescue department had verified that there was no permission given for the use of the hydrant, Malaysiakini reported.

Nga did not name the MP. However, FMT reported yesterday that Rantau Panjang MP Siti Zailah Yusoff had denied claims that she “stole” water from the hydrant.

She said she had permission and help from the Rantau Panjang fire station. However, Kelantan fire and rescue chief Zainal Madasin said there was no record of her asking for permission.

Nga, whose ministry supervises the fire and rescue department, said tampering with a fire hydrant and using it other than for firefighting was an offence under the Fire Services Act, with a penalty of a fine between RM100 and RM500.

Any action of taking water from the fire hydrant, if done arbitrarily, would create difficulties for the department if there is low water volume and pressure. “Then the people will be the victims,” he said.