By Nancy Nais
KUCHING, March 15: Sixty-nine families in need in Batu Kitang constituency had their dilapidated houses rebuilt or repaired in the last two years.
Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang said this will continue as his constituency was allocated RM1 million by the state government to help the people there.
“My aim is to repair all the dilapidated houses which need to be repaired. If it cannot be repaired, then we will rebuild. I do not pick or choose who I should help. Everyone in Batu Kitang deserves help, regardless of race and issue. So long as I can assist, I will,” he said when met after handling over a newly built three-bedroom house for Hamidah Hamidi and her family at Kampung Lidah Tanah, today.
Praising Kampung Lidah Tanah village chief Hamzah Bujang, its Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK) and Rela Batu 10 volunteers for their efforts to help rebuilt the house, Lo said without these volunteers, it would be difficult to help those in need.
“I sincerely thank these people. They’ve been sacrificing their Sundays since mid-December last year to build this house. Because it on a voluntarily basis and ‘gotong-royong’ effort, they can only do it once a week, but that is good enough.
“I used my allocation to buy the materials needed. Overall the cost for this house was RM15,000,” Lo added.
The selection of beneficiaries is based on several criteria, he explained, namely registered as poor or very poor under eKasih, with dependents, the type of damage (if it can be repaired or not).
He will then get in touch with those in need of the assistance by contacting their community leaders.
Lo also revealed that he has received about 100 applications which will be reviewed as soon as possible.
Not all of these applicants fall under the hardcore poor category, but he gave assurance he will gradually help them, because priority will be given to those whose houses are not in safe nor suitable conditions to live in.
Meanwhile, Hamzah said Lo has helped 10 families from his village.
Kampung Lidah Tanah has about 120 houses, with approximately 1,200 residents. — DayakDaily
