ULU TERU (Marudi): The fire victims of 28-door Long Aton longhouse here who were left homeless after fire destroyed their longhouse last Wednesday received a total of RM82,000 in government grant to rebuild their longhouse.
The grant was allocated by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas (RM22,000), Telang Usan Assemblyman, Dennis Ngau and Mulu Assemblyman, Dato Gerawat Gala.
Apart from the grant, the fire victims also received RM300 each from the State Welfare Department.
Speaking during the grant presentation ceremony, Dennis pointed out that the regular occurrences of fire destroying longhouses in the state all these years required longhouse residents to find preventive measures to stop such fire from happening.
“We can’t just leave it to fate. When it comes to fire we have no choice but to very concern. The attitude of ‘neighbours look after their neighbours’ needs to be introduced by longhouse chiefs and the Village Development and Security Committees (JKKK).
“I’m not saying that this will prevent fire from happening but as I said we have to find ways to prevent another disaster,” he pointed out.
Meanwhile, Dennis promised to work with the fire victims to apply for a rebuilding fund from the Ministry of Rural Development ( KKLW ) to get the longhouse destroyed in a fire rebuild.
He also requested the fire victims to submit their applications for the RM12,000 grant per house under the E-Kasih house repair fund.
Among those present were Temenggong Joseph Ngau Lian, Penghulu Joseph Belulok, JKM Miri Officer, Dayang Azeeysni Mohd Seri, Long Aton headman, Micheal Kebing Avit, a Catholic church priest, Father Joseph and SK Ubong Emang headmaster, Samuel Iwat.
“I am also grateful for the prompt action taken by Miri Welfare Department Office, Bomba Miri and Baram and the police to help the victims and I hope the villagers will provide the relevants agencies with as much information as possible to enable them to help the fire victims,” he said.
He added the officers from the National Registration Department would also be called in to help with documentation matters.
