Fire victims thank donors for their generosity
SIBU: The Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK) of Kampung Bahagia Jaya here thanked the local community for their generosity in helping the Kampung Bahagia Jaya fire victims.
Its chairman Ismail Amer said the local community had given assistance in cash and kinds regardless of racial and religious background.
“Most individuals and nongovernmental organisations ( NGOs) who donated to the fire victims are non-Muslims. So far almost RM20,000 in cash donation have been collected under a fund specially set up for the victims.
“Well done to Sibu community for being very helpful towards those in need,” he told reporters when met after the presentation of donation by Sibu Municipal Council ( SMC) chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King at Darul Halim Mosque in Kampung Bahagia Jaya here yesterday.
Ismail received the donation totalling RM10,000 on behalf of the fire victims. At the same function, United People’s Party ( UPP) Dudong Women chief Kapitan Connie Loh also presented a donation of RM2,000 from the party to the fire victims.
One of the victims, Mohd Safuan Abdullah @ Buau Nisau thanked the donors for their assistance.
Recalling the fire that happened on Feb 6, Mohd Safuan said he woke up from sleep at about 1.40am to answer the call of nature. He was walking towards the bedroom after he was done with his business when he smelled something burning.
“I check the kitchen and saw smoke coming from my neighbour’s house at the back and I quickly alerted my family members. I tried to put out the fire that had spread to the back portion of my house but it all happened so fast and I ran out of the house,” he said.
Mohd Safuan said he only managed to safe important documents and some of his belongings. The fire destroyed four houses including Mohd Safuan’s house and damaged another one leaving 42 people from seven families homeless.