KUCHING, Jan 30 (Bernama) -- Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said that the safety of residences in hillside areas will be discussed at the state Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) meeting, in the near future.
Uggah, who is also the chairman of the committee, said that the issue would be presented to Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to find a long-term solution.
“There is a need to assess the conditions of houses in hillside areas, and we hope that the Ministry of Housing and Local Government will also look into this matter,” he said.
“Currently, those living in hillside areas are advised to relocate immediately if their homes are deemed unsafe to occupy,” he said after visiting the temporary evacuation centre (PPS) at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina Chung Hua Batu Kawa, here, today.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Minister of Women, Children, and Community Wellbeing, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, confirmed that the families of landslide victims in Kampung Lereng Bukit, Miri, would receive both financial assistance and emotional support.
Fatimah said that the Sarawak government would provide RM10,000 in compensation to each individual who lost their life in the incident. The payment will be given to the victims’ next of kin.
“This is an immense loss for the families to bear. Under the Welfare Department, we are also providing counselors to provide emotional support,” she said.
The tragic landslide, which occurred at 2.58 am on Wednesday, in Kampung Lereng Bukit, claimed the lives of one male and four female victims, aged eight to 71.
They were identified as Sazarena Arabi, 41; Fatimah Dawi, 71; Irsyad Syairah, 16; Nur Raisyah Syahirah, 8; and Nur Rania Syafiqah, 11.
They were from two families, living next to each other, on the same plot of land in the village. Meanwhile, seven other victims; two men and five women, aged 17 to 71, survived the incident.
-- BERNAMA
