PAS: Kpg Wireless fire victims want authorities to expedite aid to rebuild house
MIRI: Kampung Wireless fire victims want the authorities to expedite aid to enable them to rebuild their house in view of the upcoming Ramadan fasting month, said PAS Sarawak commissioner Jofri Jaraiee.
In a statement issued after handing over aid to the fire victims sheltered at the relief centre at Kampung Lereng Bukit community hall on Sunday, Jofri said the fire victims had expressed hope that their houses could be rebuilt soon so that they could move out of the shelter.
“PAS Sarawak would like to suggest to the authorities that those involved in the fire should be given special assistance to rebuild their house, or they should be given lots to build their own house,” he said.
Jofri said PAS Sarawak was sympathetic towards the fire victims’ plight, as most of them are now homeless and did not have time to save valuable items such as furniture and appliances during the incident.
“They need a more comfortable place to live in so that they can carry out their daily activities as usual,” he said, adding the victims had voiced their concern over the duration that they would have to be sheltered at the Kampung Lereng Bukit community hall.
The fire at Kampung Wireless last Friday destroyed six wooden houses and partially damaged another three, leaving 80 residents from 12 families homeless.
Kampung Wireless is the oldest village in Miri city and is home to the Malay and Melanau communities.
MAFS: Egg import borne by company, does not involve public funds
PUTRAJAYA: The special approval for the temporary import of eggs does not involve public funds, said the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (MAFS).
In a statement yesterday, the ministry said any expenditure and risks to import eggs are fully borne by the importing company and no public funds are used.
“The Malaysian government does not provide subsidies to imported chicken eggs as enjoyed by local chicken egg producers,” he said.
On Dec 6, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu announced the approval to import eggs from external sources as a temporary measure to overcome the shortage of eggs. The temporary special approval until June 30 2023 was given to J&E Advance Tech Sdn Bhd and an egg exporting company in India that has the supply capacity and is also supplying eggs to Qatar during the 2022 World Cup.
In order to ensure that the people receive imported eggs that are safe and disease-free, MAFS said the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department and the Veterinary Services Department (DVS) implemented controls on the entry of imported chicken eggs at the country’s entrance. The control is a hold, test and release (HTR) test that includes PCR tests for the detection of Salmonella bacteria, Newcastle Disease virus and Avian Influenza.
“Only eggs that pass the HTR test are allowed to enter the country. So far no imported chicken eggs have failed this test,” it said.
MAFS said based on DVS records, the unity government’s efforts to overcome the shortage of egg supply in the country since last January have started to show positive development.
Based on that record, Malaysia had a shortage of 118,272,070 eggs in October 2022, 157,543,291 (November 2022) and 1,282,094 (December 2022), but experienced an increase of 160,649,928 in January this year.
“The government will always take proactive measures to ensure that the food supply in the country is sufficient and assured,” the ministry said. — Bernama