Cover image via Mohd Rasfan/AFP
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For many Malaysians, the Fire and Rescue Department is simply known as "Bomba". But where does the name come from, and why isn't it a direct translation of "firefighters"?
The origin of the word "bomba" has long sparked debates online, with some even claiming that it's not a word but an acronym for Badan Operasi Mencegah Bencana Alam.
However, Melaka Fire and Rescue director Mohd Zaidi Ma'at recently set the record straight, stating that the term has a connection to the city's Portuguese colonial past.
The word "bomba" is derived from the Portuguese "bombeiros", which means "firefighters".
According to Mohd Zaidi, the term entered local usage during the Portuguese era and was later adopted officially in 1961, after a concerted effort to give the fire brigade a distinctly Malaysian name.
"Many people are curious as to why we do not use a direct translation such as Api dan Penyelamat from the English term 'Fire and Rescue'," he was quoted as saying by The Star.
"What many do not realise is that the word 'bomba' carries a long historical background."
The department itself has evolved through several names over the decades, from the Volunteer Fire Brigade in 1883 to the Malaysia Fire and Rescue Department in 1997
Beyond its historical significance, the Fire and Rescue Department is also promoting a culture of shared identity and values through the "Kita Bomba" aspiration.
Anchored on the Bomba principles — Brave, Ombudsman (Integrity), Merit, Bold Brand, and Achievement — the initiative guides officers in their duties and reinforces public trust.
"The concept of 'Kita' (we) reflects our shared identity and sense of togetherness, while the Bomba principles form the foundation of how we work, make decisions, and uphold integrity in serving the community," Mohd Zaidi explained.
