JKM to provide assistance to Para Sukma athlete Christal, family after house destroyed in fire

KUCHING (Sept 11): Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah has assured Para Malaysia Games (Para Sukma) athlete Christal Vencent Bonny that the Community Welfare Department (JKM) will provide assistance to her family after their house was destroyed by a fire on Tuesday morning.

According to the Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development and chairperson for the Para Sukma XXI Sarawak Main Committee, she had asked the relevant officials to meet Christal.

“I would assure her not to worry and let her know that JKM will provide assistance to her parents as victims of the fire. For now, her family are staying with relatives while the District Office will also do their part as well.

“We thank God everyone is safe,” she said when contacted by The Borneo Post.

Despite the tragic incident, Fatimah however encouraged Christal to remain focused on her preparations for the upcoming Para Sukma.

She said it is the wish of Christal’s parents to see her focus on bringing honours to Sarawak during the coming Para Sukma.

“Christal should focus on doing her best to prepare for Para Sukma. Her parents would want her to concentrate on getting ready,” she said.

The para weightlifter is currently in Kuching to prepare for the coming Para Sukma which is scheduled to be held from Sept 22 to 28.

According to a report provided by Fatimah’s ministry, the fire took place at the home of John Nari, Racha Dana and their family, which includes Christal herself, Christy Glenndya Bonny, Ruth Chandi Racha and Ricky John Umba who has mental disability.

Although the home was completely destroyed, a temporary evacuation centre was not opened, as the family was able to stay with nearby relatives, said the report.

The report also said that in the wake of the fire, immediate assistance was provided, including six sets of dry food items valued at RM50 each and further financial assistance will be disbursed in the form of cheques or transfers to the family’s account.

The estimated financial aid includes RM100 in pocket money to each of the six family members totalling RM600 and additional RM700 will be allocated for household and kitchen necessities.

Each family member will also receive RM200 for daily clothing, amounting to RM1,200 in total.

For the two children, school supplies will be provided at RM100 per child, totalling RM200, while RM200 per child has been allocated for school uniforms, bringing the total to RM400.

In terms of sleeping equipment, RM100 per person will be given to all six members, adding up to RM600.

Finally, RM5,000 will be provided for building materials to help the family reconstruct their home, said the report.

The overall estimated assistance amounts to RM8,700, which will help the family rebuild their lives.