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BINTANGOR, June 20: The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) has received 436 applications since 2020 to help rebuild longhouses and individual homes destroyed by fires throughout the State.
Its chairman, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, said the applications for aid worth RM130,831,500 are to build 2,041 units.
He said of the applications, 131 projects comprising 675 units and costing RM43.642 million had been successfully implemented.
Uggah, who is also Deputy Premier of Sarawak, said this after visiting the 43-door longhouse Rumah (Rh) Labang Jawa at Sungai Tulai near here yesterday (June 19).
The longhouse, which was destroyed in a fire in July 2017, has been rebuilt and is almost ready for occupation. It comprises two separate rows of 17 units each.
Uggah added another 101 projects totalling 683 units and costing RM45.770 million were in the process of construction.
“Then we have another 204 new applications comprising 683 units and costing RM41.4195 million.
“For the Sarikei Division, we have seven projects for 40 units costing RM2.940 million which are now complete. They include three longhouses—Rh Paun Balin, Rh Labang Jawa, and Rh Jelum Mandaw—and four individual homes.
“In addition, there are four projects for 43 units estimated to cost RM3.010 million now being implemented. These comprise three longhouses—Rh Andrew Lawai, Rh Sally Maling (Merurun, Julau), and Rh Chat (Nanga Bilat, Julau)—and an individual home,” he said.
Additionally, he said SDMC received four applications for 42 units costing about RM2.035 million.
Earlier in his speech, Uggah said the Sarawak government would continue to look after the welfare of its people, whether in urban or rural areas.
“Our Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg conceived this policy to assist fire victims after 2018.
“As a caring government, we also have socio-economic and welfare programmes to cater to the people’s needs,” he said.
Uggah, who is the minister-in-charge of the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor), announced a grant of RM30,000 to upgrade the longhouse church.
Meradong assemblyman Datuk Ding Kuong Hiing was also present at the event. — DayakDaily
