By Jaythaleela K
LONG LAMA, June 3: Realising the impact the current lockdown has on vulnerable communities in remote areas within Telang Usan and Baram, Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau has called on individuals from his constituency to come forward to help distribute food rations to people in remote settlements.
“I am calling those in Telang Usan who have four-wheel-drive vehicles (4WD) to step forward to assist us to transport food rations either to their own longhouses or to any settlement that are in need,” Dennis said during a virtual meeting held via Zoom with some of the volunteers and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on Tuesday.
The Zoom meeting, held for the first time via Zoom for Telang Usan (N77) constituency, was attended by Telang Usan community leaders, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Telang Usan component leaders and volunteers.
He added that they are planning to make Long Lama, Kilo 10 or Lon San as collection points for food rations before they distribute it to villages in remote areas.
He revealed that the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) and Miri Division Disaster Management Committee (MDDMC) have instructed for immediate preparations for smooth implementation of the MCO 2.0 food aid as envisaged by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“Baram Member of Parliament (MP) Anyie Ngau, both district officers of Telang Usan and Beluru District, including myself will lead our Telang Usan team in this errand,” he pointed out.
Thus, Dennis has called on every village chiefs within his consituency to provide name lists and the number of doors of families living in the village who have been badly affected by the current MCO.
“Please provide me the up-to-date name lists of families affected by the MCO so that we can arrange for food distribution to help them,” he stressed out.
He pointed out that it was crucial for them to set up an immediate plan to ensure smooth food ration deliveries to the affected villages during this period.
Dennis described it as a massive task.
During last year’s MCO, they had distributed closed to 7,000 food baskets to families affected living at their longhouse or settlements, as well as those families who stay outside the constituency.
On another note, Dennis has applauded the spirit of volunteerism among the rural people of Telang Usan.
“Volunteerism will be key to the success of the distribution of food aid as announced by our chief minister to those badly hit following the implementation of the current MCO,” he said. — DayakDaily
