PASIR LINGGI ORANG ASLI BUILD BAMBOO SHELTERS DURING MONSOON SEASON

GUA MUSANG, Dec 29 (Bernama) -- Some 200 Orang Asli people from 30 families in Kampung Pasir Linggi, Pos Lebir here have chosen not to return to their homes, even though the floods in their area fully receded last month.

Village head Harun Ismail said the decision was made as many are still traumatised by the ‘yellow flood’ disaster more than 10 years ago, prompting residents to prefer living in shelters built from bamboo and wood with canvas roofs as temporary refuge during the Northeast Monsoon.

He said the settlement has been built since October, with residents opting to live a nomadic lifestyle until the monsoon ends.

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“We decided to move to the hilltop to avoid being stranded should a disaster occur, such as the major flood in 2014. Fear and trauma remain, especially among those living near the river, as they worry they might not have enough time to evacuate.

“We will stay in tents on the hilltop, built near the access road to Kampung Pasir Linggi. This is an annual preparation to face the monsoon season,” he told reporters when met at the village recently.

Resident Amoi Latif, 57, said early preparations for floods had been made as her house is only a few metres from Sungai Linggi, and she was concerned the water level could rise rapidly if heavy rain continued.

“We have brought all essential items such as cooking utensils, mats and clothing, as we will stay here until January, depending on the weather.

“We have also been travelling back and forth to our homes to check on them and charge our mobile phones,” she said.

-- BERNAMA