MCA receives several calls to help fire victim traders

SEREMBAN: The MCA has received many calls from the public offering financial assistance to the 327 traders who lost all their belongings in a huge fire that gutted the upper floor of the Seremban wet market.

State MCA chief Datuk Seri King Lim Chin Fui said many of his friends, including those living out- side Seremban, called him to offer their help because they supported the move by the authorities to rehouse the traders.

“I am really happy for their offers. It is our hope that more people, including NGOs and societies, will do their bit to help,” he said during a walkabout at the market.

Also present was MCA Youth chief Datuk Chong Sin Woon.

The traders, some of whom have been operating at the market for nearly 40 years, suffered huge losses in the blaze that broke out at about 7.30pm on Saturday.

Lim said the Seremban Wet Market Traders Welfare Association would be setting up a special fund to enable the public to contribute to the affected traders.

“It has asked the MCA to appoint a representative to oversee the fund,” he said.

On Sunday, Chong said the MCA would give RM1,000 each in emergency aid to those affected.

Lim thanked Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan for directing the Seremban Municipal Council to help with the setting up of temporary lots at the market for the traders.

“The mentri besar has pledged to do all he can to help. For that we are extremely grateful,” he said.

Lim, Chong and other state MCA leaders were at the market to help the affected traders apply for the lots.

Welfare association chairman Koh Lee Giap thanked the state government and the MCA for their assistance.

“Most of us lost everything. We have no words to describe our gratitude to the mentri besar and the MCA,” he said.