By DayakDaily Team
SIBU, Sept 25: A total of 134 individuals who were affected by the recent fire at Kampung Hilir, Sibu, have been offered temporary housing at the Rantau Panjang flats as their primary option.
According to a report by Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS), Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD) Datuk Dr Annuar Rapa’ee said a meeting and briefing with the heads of households (KIR) was held to discuss the offer.
“The second option, if they do not wish to stay in Rantau Panjang, is to find rental homes. However, in the long term, I will discuss with the government about offering them places in Kemuyang.
“This has already been part of the plan, as residents living along riverbanks have been advised to register if they wish to stay in Kemuyang,” he was reported as saying during a visit to the temporary evacuation centre for the fire victims at Surau Darul Ma’wa here on Monday (Sept 23).
Dr Annuar who is the Nangka assemblyman further said that houses in Kemuyang are available for purchase, and there is an urgent need for fire victims to secure these homes.
The temporary evacuation centre at Surau Darul Ma’wa currently housing 69 victims, is meant for short-term use, ideally until this Sunday (Sept 29).
Regarding monetary donations, he emphasised that cash contributions must go through the village head before being handed over to the Sibu Division Disaster Management Committee (Sibu DDMC) fund, managed by the Sibu Resident’s Office.
He pointed out that no one else is authorised to collect cash donations on behalf of the fire victims.
“However, if friends or family members wish to give directly to an individual, that is up to them. But for anyone wishing to donate, please do so through the official committee,” he added.
Online donations may be made directly to the official Sibu DDMC account, with details available on the official Facebook page.
Additionally, he mentioned that the Nangka Constituency Service Centre has allocated RM35,000 to be distributed among the 134 fire victims. — DayakDaily
