KUCHING, April 6: Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Dudong branch chairman Wong Ching Yong is urging the Sarawak government to immediately declare Sibu as a ‘disaster area’ and allocate a special emergency fund of RM10 million to help victims of the severe thunderstorm last night (April 5).
He claimed that the extreme weather yesterday evening was possibly the strongest and most destructive windstorm in Sibu in the past century.
“According to the messages, photos and videos sent by my party comrades and the public, the most affected is mainly in the town area.
“Not only were many large trees knocked down, blocking traffic and causing power outages, but many residential houses, shops, schools were also severely damaged by the strong wind.
“Roofs were blown away, causing residents to endure the wind and rain all night long,” said Wong in a statement today.
He pointed out that although there are no clear figures of the damage caused as of now, it was possible that the people in Sibu suffered great losses due to the windstorm.
Wong, who is also Sibu Rural District Council deputy chairman, said he was out of town on official business last night during the windstorm, but was equally worried as many Sibu folks.
Meanwhile, Wong also suggested that the five assembly members and two MPs from Sibu put aside political differences and work together to help the affected households.
He said the seven elected representatives could immediately form a joint task force and include representatives from Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) and the Sibu Rural District Council.
“I believe many of those affected are feeling anxious and helpless, so I hope the Sarawak government could act as swiftly as possible, and the State and Federal assembly members can respond positively to my above suggestions,” Wong added. — DayakDaily
