Nga said the company’s numerous achievements included being the first in the industry to export firefighting equipment overseas and to hold certificates from over 20 international regulatory bodies.
“Over the past 50 years, SRI has exported over RM1 billion worth of firefighting equipment to over 70 countries. Locally, SRI has been a central figure in the country’s developing infrastructure.
“I would like to congratulate SRI on its golden jubilee, and for protecting life and properties,” Nga said in a video played during the company’s golden jubilee gala dinner at the St Regis Hotel Kuala Lumpur tonight.
At the dinner, SRI founder and managing director Ong Yow Siang donated RM50,000 to the fire and rescue department’s welfare association. Fire and rescue director-general Nor Hisham Mohammad accepted the donation from Ong and thanked the company for its continued support for the department through their strategic partnership over the years.
“Your generous support indicates the company’s sincerity and social duty towards the sacrifices of our firefighters,” Nor Hisham said.
Later, Ong reflected on the company’s entrance in the industry decades ago, recalling how he had noticed a gap in firefighting equipment manufacturing here.
“In the 1960s, all firefighting equipment in Malaysia was imported from England and America. They were very expensive; property owners had to pay a hefty price to keep their buildings safe. “So I thought it was a good idea to manufacture them. And in 1974, we started SRI,” he said.
He said SRI’s early years were challenging but the company turned around in the 1980s due to the industrial boom, allowing it to harness local expertise and expand into manufacturing a range of firefighting products.
Ong thanked his employees for their support, paying special tribute to one worker, Tan Jee Yee, who has been with the company for 50 years.
Once a humble business operating in shophouses, SRI’s business now spans across the globe with its products used in airports, petrochemical plants, manufacturing facilities, stadiums, and hotels worldwide.
Istana Negara, the Petronas Twin Towers, KLIA and Tun Razak Exchange are some Malaysian landmarks that utilise SRI’s products.