SANDAKAN: The State Government has channelled immediate assistance to victims of the fire in Kampung Bahagia, Batu Sapi, which destroyed nearly 1,000 houses in an incident that occurred yesterday morning (Sunday).
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said the State Government deeply sympathises with the plight of those affected by the fire, which he described as one of the largest incidents involving the settlement.
“Today I went to the site to assess the situation involving the fire victims of Kampung Bahagia, Sandakan. This was a major fire, involving nearly 1,000 houses that were destroyed,” he told reporters after visiting the site and handing over aid to victims at Dewan PPR Batu Sapi on Monday.
He said, as initial assistance, each Household Head (KIR) received RM2,000, comprising RM1,000 in special aid from the State Government and RM1,000 from the Yayasan Kebajikan Sabah.
“We hope this assistance will help ease their burden at this time,” he said.
In addition, Pusat Zakat Sabah and Perbadanan Baitulmal Sabah have also contributed aid to the affected victims.
Hajiji said the level of destruction in the area was extensive, with almost the entire village completely destroyed.
Meanwhile, he said a full and detailed report on the actual number of fire victims is expected within one to two weeks.
Commenting on redevelopment plans, Hajiji said the State Government is studying several proposals, including land reclamation for housing development, which is expected to involve substantial costs.
“Proposals include land reclamation for future housing development, but this will involve significant costs,” he said.
In this regard, he said the State Government would wait for a comprehensive report from the Sandakan District Disaster Management Committee, as well as recommendations from the Sandakan Municipal Council, before making further decisions.
“We will first receive the report from the Sandakan District Disaster Management Committee on their alternative proposals. From there, we will take the necessary action,” he said.
Hajiji also informed that six temporary evacuation centres (PPS) have been opened to accommodate the fire victims for the time being.
Accompanying Hajiji were State Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Haji Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif; State Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk Julita Majungki; Deputy Human Resources Minister and Batu Sapi MP Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan; State Secretary Datuk Seri Panglima Sr Haji Safar Untong; Assistant Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Maijol Mahap; Secretary of Internal Affairs and Research, Chief Minister’s Department Datuk Haji Ag Shahminan Datuk Haji Ag Sahari; and Director of Yayasan Kebajikan Sabah Datuk Hajah Diyanah Abdullah.-pr/BNN
