Razed Sibu longhouse at Jalan Pulau Dudong to be rebuilt soon

SIBU (Aug 3): The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) has approved a reconstruction project for Rumah Nglai Usit at Jalan Pulau Dudong here which was destroyed in a fire on June 1 last year.

According to Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) deputy chairman Wong Ching Yong, the project that costs around RM840,000 will be implemented by the Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak and will begin in either September or October.

Adding on, he said the application for the fund was made June 16, 2023 and was approved by SDMC on July 31 this year.

“In the fire incident during the 2023 Gawai Dayak celebration, 12 families lost their homes and each household will also receive RM70,000,” he told a press conference here today.

According to him, he had recently led a delegation to meet with Sibu Resident Abang Mohammad Porkan Abang Budiman to seek assistance for the longhouse’s reconstruction project.

Also joining the visit were political secretary to the Sarawak Premier William Annut, community leaders, SRDC councillors, and the longhouse chief.

“We will do our best to ensure that all affected families receive appropriate assistance, without anyone being left behind and this is our responsibility and our promise to the people,” said Wong, who is also the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Dudong branch chairman.

“The SUPP Dudong team had also visited the longhouse a month ago to monitor the post-disaster development, as well as to gain feedback from the longhouse folks,” he said.

SDMC, he said, does not only provide assistance to the residents of the longhouse, but also to any individual or family affected by disasters, regardless of race or religion.

In this regard, he said such applications can be made at Sibu District Office, whereby each application will be carefully reviewed for further action.