Kampung Baru fire victims receive immediate assistance
SIBU: Nangka Constituency Service Centre has rendered immediate assistance totalling RM40,650 to 13 families, whose houses in Kampung Baru here were destroyed in a fire that struck last Friday.
According to Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee, the assistance covers immediate cash relief of RM250 for each of 57 victims meant for them to buy necessities; RM1,800 for each of the 13 families slated for house rents for the next six months (or RM300 monthly per household for next six months); and also RM200 for each of the 15 affected schoolchildren meant for them to buy school uniforms and stationery items.
“These (cash aid) are the stopgap measures to alleviate their burden. For the long-term measures, I will discuss with the Land and Survey Department on the number among these 13 families, who do not have ( land) lots.
“If they do not have ( land lots), I will apply for them to be resettled,” Dr Annuar, who is also Assistant Minister of Housing and Public Health, told reporters after chairing a meeting with the fi re victimsandtherelevantauthorities at Muslim Welfare Trust Board ( Lakis) Sibu recently.
Sibu Resident Charles Siaw, Sibu District Officer Suhaili Mohamed, Lakis Sibu secretary Jamil Julaihi, Tabung Baitulmal Sarawak Sibu head Hashim Abdullah and local Civil Defence Force officer Capt Frankie John Jawan were also present at the meeting.
Dr Annuar, who is Nangka assemblyman, flew in from Kuching immediately after learning about the fi re that struck Kampung Baru, which destroyed eight houses occupied by 57 people from 13 families.
Regarding the victims, he said Surau Darul Ma’wa in Kampung Baru would double up as a relief and collection centre. According to him, the surau is being used to temporarily shelter seven members of a family.
Adding on, he pointed out that any donation – cash and kind – must go through Surau Darul Ma’wa to ensure proper record.
“Initially, we wanted to use Lakis Hall (as a relief- collection centre), but since the majority of the fi re victims have opted to stay with their relatives, we use Surau Darul Ma’wa instead.”
Meanwhile, Welfare Department’s Sibu Division Disaster Relief officer Mohd Afi f Shafiq Mohd Alwi said immediate assistance had been channelled to those affected by the incident.
He said a set of mattress and blankets had been given to each victim aged 10 years old and above.
“Kitchen utensils have also been delivered to every family.
“Dry food (at RM50 per set) is being given to every victim daily, over the period of seven days.
“Apart from that, cash assistance will be credited into the accounts of the heads of the affected families,” he said.
“Pocket money is RM100 and clothing is RM200 per person.
“For example, if you have three persons then, (the total) clothing allowance is RM600, while (the total) pocket money is RM300.”
Additionally, Mohd Afi f said the Welfare Department would also provide assistance in the form of building materials.
He said those with monthly household income below RM4,000 would be provided with building materials depending on the percentage of the damage to their houses, adding that the minimum sum would be RM300, and the maximum amount at RM5,000 – subject to approval.
Meanwhile, Masjid An-Nur management committee chairman Latiff Coupon said the Association of Churches Sarawak (ACS) Sibu branch had donated food item such as rice and bottled drinking water as well as cash amounting to RM4,000.
“As for our side (mosque management committee), we donated RM4,500.”
For the record, 61 lots in Kampung Datu Lama/Hilir were destroyed by fi re on June 20, 2013, leaving 143 families homeless.
These (cash aid) are the stopgap measures to alleviate their burden. For the long-term measures, I will discuss with the Land and Survey Department on the number among these 13 families, who do not have (land) lots. Dr Annuar Rapaee, Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research