By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, March 17: A local lawmaker will look into the possibility of setting up a trust fund for the three siblings who were orphaned when their parents passed away in an electrocution accident in Cameron Highlands recently.
Describing it as an excellent idea, Tebedu assemblyman Dr Simon Sinang Bada who also hails from the same village as the children’s father Damian Lemon, 46, of Kampung Daha Kisau, Serian, said he would gather several friends to look into the possibility of setting it up.
“I will discuss with some friends to see how it can be possible to set up a trust fund, how to go about it, taking the advice from a lawyer.
“Everyone is concerned. So am I. We just want to see that the children are well taken care of. We don’t want half way suddenly the guardians give up because the trust fund is dry,” Dr Sinang told DayakDaily.
Dr Sinang was answering a question posed by a DayakDaily reader who questioned if a trust fund will be set up for Elisa Olivia (10) Joseph Rayyan (8) and Magdalena (2) who are the children of Damian and and Ronwina Mambai from Kampung Ruan Lubang Tiung, Simunjan.
Following the death of their parents, the three orphans returned to Kuching yesterday and are now under the care of their uncle Robert Adi and his wife Kelly Jhon.
Noting that that taking care of the three children will require expenses, Dr Sinang said for the time being, all contributions will be channelled directly to their guardian’s account (Robert A/L Adi, BSN 0511629813224274).
“I will advise him to deposit a certain percentage of the donations to the children’s SSPN (Skim Simpanan Pendidikan Nasional) in BSN (Bank Simpanan Nasional),” said Dr Sinang.
Being pragmatic, he said a portion of donations had to go to the chief guardian’s account because the latter needed money to provide for the three siblings.
“Looking at how it is now, it looks like the guardians looked responsible enough. Give them the chance to prove themselves under the monitoring of the Welfare Department,” said the first-term assemblyman.
He said the Welfare Department will monitor the three children regularly and counselling will be provided until they reach the age of 18. On his part, he will do the same by taking it upon himself to watch out for the wellbeing of the trio.
Damian and Ronwina were found dead in a bathroom of a flat in Taman Tringkap, Brinchang in Cameron Highlands on March 10.
Preliminary investigations found burn marks on Ronwina’s palm, who was believed to have been electrocuted when she went to help her husband who was showering using the water heater at the time. — DayakDaily
