Plight of fire victims gets MP’s attention

BINTULU: Local Member of Parliament, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, spent time visiting the Rumah Nura Buling longhouse in Sungai Teban, Labang, which was destroyed in a fire on Thursday.

The visit aims to listen to the immediate needs of the affected population and provide them with support.

As a show of concern, Tiong has channelled financial assistance amounting to RM43,000 with RM20,000 of which was donated to the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) of the longhouse in question while RM1,000 was given to each of the 23 affected households.

This aid is intended to help them buy basic necessities as well as school equipment such as uniforms, stationery, and books.

The financial aid was handed over by the special officer of Tiong, Steven Kong Kai Seng while the Bintulu Parliamentary Service Centre also pledged to donate some wheelchairs to longhouse residents in need.

During the visit, Tiong, who is Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, also reviewed the progress of the post-disaster recovery work and expressed his sympathy for the victims.

It is understood that the land is not stable and frequently flooded, making the vicinity of ​​the longhouse no longer suitable for living.

Therefore, longhouse relocation measures are being planned.

JKKK Rumah Nura will hold a meeting to discuss the temporary settlement plan for the fire victims.

The Bintulu Parliamentary Service Center has also promised to provide maximum support to help victims live a normal life as soon as possible.

During the fire incident that occurred at around 3.32pm on Thursday, 350 residents were left homeless after a block of longhouse housing 23 doors in Rumah Nura, Sungai Labang was razed to the ground.