SPAOH, Nov 4: The reconstruction of the eight shop units here destroyed by fire on February 4 this year is expected to begin next month.
According to Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, the plan had now been finalised.
He said this at a meeting with the owners here yesterday, according to a statement.
“A total of RM295,856 has been received from many kind donors. On behalf of the victims, I wish to thank all these donors and the state government.
“I am donating another sum of RM4,144 to top it up to RM300,000,” he added.
Spaoh Chinese community leader Penghulu Goh Leng Tong and teacher Lai Ngit Sin received the cheque for the amount from Uggah on behalf of the victims.
Uggah also disclosed he would leave it to the victims to look for the contractor for the reconstruction.
In the Feb 4 fire when most of the victims were preparing for their Chinese New Year reunion dinner, four sundry shops, two coffee shops, a motorcycle workshop and a hardware store were destroyed.
Uggah who is Bukit Saban assemblyman and Betong MP Datuk Robert Lawson Chuat had each given the victims a grant of RM40,000 immediately after the incident.
A political secretary to the chief minister Dr Richard Rapu was among those present yesterday. — DayakDaily
