By WU VUIDE
SANDAKAN: The Sabah Government has channelled initial assistance of RM2,000 each to heads of households in Kampung Bahagia, Batu Sapi, whose homes were destroyed in a fire on Sunday.
The assistance comprises RM1,000 in special aid from the government and RM1,000 from Yayasan Kebajikan Sabah.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the government sympathises with the victims, describing the fire as one of the largest incidents affecting the settlement.
He said this after visiting the site and handing over aid to victims at Dewan PPR Batu Sapi.
“We hope this assistance will help ease their burden at this time,” he said.
Pusat Zakat Sabah and Perbadanan Baitulmal Sabah have also contributed aid to the victims.
Hajiji said the destruction was extensive, with almost the entire village razed.
He said a full report on the number of victims is expected within one to two weeks.
On redevelopment plans, Hajiji said the government is studying several proposals, including land reclamation for housing development, which would involve substantial costs.
He said the government will await a comprehensive report from the Sandakan District Disaster Management Committee and recommendations from the Sandakan Municipal Council before making any decisions.
Hajiji also said six temporary evacuation centres have been opened to accommodate the victims.
Also present were Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk Julita Majungki, and Deputy Human Resources Minister and Batu Sapi MP Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan.
Hajiji, accompanied by several ministers visited the fire site.
