Puncak Borneo MP feels saddened by death of school teacher

KUCHING: Puncak Borneo MP Willie Mongin expresses his grief over the death of 25-year- old Catherine Janet Tiwi, who died in a fire that engulfed two teachers quarters at SK Batu Bungan in Mulu on Wednesday morning.

He said he was deeply saddened with the news about the demise of the primary school teacher who died trying to save two of her colleagues from the fire.

“My condolences to the family of the late Catherine,” he said Thursday.

Willie hoped that the government and relevant authorities would take the matter seriously and conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire.

“I suggest all schools must be equipped with fire extinguishers and to form a community fire and rescue team,” he said.

According to Marudi police chief DSP Gabriel Risut, Catherine was already safe but chose to rush back to save her colleagues who were still in the burning building.

“There was a blackout and shortly after that, the fire broke out. In the chaotic situation, Catherine went back inside and tried to save the two teachers from one of the rooms but found herself trapped and could not escape,” he was reported as having said.

Catherine is a Bidayuh from Kampung Skio, Bau, a village in the parliamentary constituency of Puncak Borneo, and had been teaching at SK Penghulu Baya Mallang in Apoh, Baram for over a year.