SANDAKAN – The Sabah government has gone all out to support victims of the Kampung Bahagia fire, moving swiftly with emergency aid after nearly 1,000 homes were destroyed in Sunday’s blaze.
Sabah Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor, said he visited the ground today to assess the situation and personally hand over assistance to affected families at the PPR Batu Sapi hall.
He described the fire as among the worst to hit the area, with almost the entire settlement razed.
Each head of household is receiving RM2,000 as immediate relief, comprising RM1,000 from the state government and RM1,000 from the Sabah Welfare Foundation.
Hajiji said the assistance was meant to help victims cope with the immediate aftermath, many of whom lost their homes and belongings.
Aid is also being extended by the Sabah Zakat Centre and the Sabah Baitulmal Corporation.
He noted the area had previously been a refugee settlement under UNHCR before it was cleared, with plans already in place to redevelop it into a formal village.
A detailed report on the number of victims is expected within one to two weeks. Early estimates indicate about 70 per cent of those affected are non-citizens, while the remaining 30 per cent are Malaysians.
Hajiji said assistance would be provided to all victims regardless of citizenship status.
On rebuilding efforts, he said the state government is studying several proposals, including land reclamation for future housing development, though this would involve significant cost.
He said the government will first review a full report from the Sandakan District Disaster Management Committee, along with recommendations from the Sandakan Municipal Council, before deciding on the next course of action.
Six temporary relief centres have been opened so far to accommodate those displaced.
Hajiji said the state government remains committed to safeguarding the welfare of victims while working on a longer-term solution for resettlement. -MalayaDailyToday
