KAPIT : Despite the heavy rain here on Thursday morning, Bukit Goram State Assemblyman, Jefferson Jamit moved around his constituency to inspect the residential houses affected by soil erosion and landslides.
Accompanying him were the Administrative Officer from Kapit District Office, Anyie Awing, BOMBA Officer, Irwandy Tugor, staff of the Kapit Parliament Service Centre and Bukit Goram Service Centre, Edward Manggah and Alexson Nila and Cochran Amos, Councillor Liew Hui Hua, Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Kapit Secretary, Ling Thian Ing and members of the press.
Jamit’s first visit was to a single storey concrete house at Genturong Iban Bersatu, Sungai Sebabi, Jalan Antaroh.
After that, he visited Rumah Champok along Jalan Bukit Goram and Taman Melatai at Jalan Selirik.
The single storey concrete house at Genturong Iban Bersatu, Sungai Sebabi at Jalan Antaroh belonged to 49-year-old Kaya Anak Mada.
The house. erected on the hill slope, was badly damaged when a landslide happened at an upper slope.
According to Kaya, the landslide occurred on Wednesday at around 5 pm.
“I wasn’t at home at that time because I was then with my family at Rumah Bundong, Jalan Sungai Kapit.
“My neighbour heard a loud noise at my house and went over to check. He alerted me and I rushed over.
“By then, mud and water had filled the house. The bedroom and car park were totally destroyed,” explained Kaya.
“I reported to the District Office and Social Welfare Department. Their staff came over to inspect and the Social Welfare Department told me it could assist but I don’t know what kind of assistance it will offer me.
“I built this house 18 months ago. The estimated loss is about RM15,000 from the building materials excluding the labour cost,” said Kaya.
“I am very thankful to our elected representative, Jefferson Jamit Unyat and the other government agencies including the BOMBA, Social Welfare and District Office.
“Jamit is very kind. He inspected the house and has instructed the Public Works Department to estimate the damage and to carry out some remedial work.
“He also promised to help through his MRP funding,” added Kaya.
Meanwhile, Jamit advised all residents of houses built on the hill slopes or along the river banks to exercise extra caution during this period of wet season.
“In Kapit, because of the rugged terrain and numerous rivers and streams, during wet seasons like this, our main concern is that erosion or landslides will affect these residents.
“Those who stay in the longhouses along the river banks must be extra alert because of the sudden surge of water and flash floods caused by the continuous rainfall,” he added.
