‘Focus on registering victims now, discussion on rebuilding houses later’
PUTATAN: Rebuilding houses that were destroyed in the fire at the Kampung Meruntum water village will be discussed for further action.
Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister Shahelmy Yahya said for now, the focus is on registering the fire victims including distribution of aid.
“We will discuss with the state government and the district office for the appropriate next steps. We focus on registration and updating data so that any aid provided can be channeled to those in need.
“Following standard operating procedure, victims can be placed at temporary placement centres (PPS) for three days, but we are prepared to extend their stay to seven days,” said Shahelmy.
He said this when met after inspecting the site of the fire at Kampung Meruntum yesterday morning. Also present was Special Tasks Minister Datuk Arifin Arif.
Shahelmy, who is also Tanjung Keramat assemblyman advised the victims to register and update their data.
“The registration report at the Serigai low-cost housing (PPR) multipurpose hall (which is the temporary placement centre) recorded 35 houses destroyed in the fire yesterday (Saturday) evening, involving 45 families. Registration is still ongoing at the centre, to update the data of victims,” he said.
According to the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM), 62 victims were relocated to the PPR Serigai centre while 19 others were placed at Dewan Keramat temporary placement centre, as of 5.10pm on Saturday. PPR Serigai housed 20 families while five more were at Dewan Keramat.