JPM Provides Aid To Pulau Nunuyan Fire Victims

SANDAKAN, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- The Federal Government, through the Prime Minister’s Department (JPM), today provided initial assistance to 29 heads of households affected by a fire at Pulau Nunuyan Laut here yesterday.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) of the department had taken immediate steps to ease the victims’ burden, including providing wheelchairs for elderly residents in need.

“We have asked the Sandakan Municipal Council (MPS) and relevant agencies to work together to assess all the victims’ needs. I have also requested that damaged basic infrastructure requiring urgent repairs, such as the jetty used by schoolchildren, be brought to the ICU by MPS for immediate action.

“We do not want the children’s daily journeys to and from school to be disrupted by this tragedy,” he told reporters after visiting the fire site with MPS president Datuk Walter Kenson today.

Meanwhile, Walter said the Rural Development Department would determine the best course of action for the relocation of the fire victims in a suitable area, including village reserve land.

“We will also discuss with the two private landowners whose land is occupied by the fire victims. This is the actual situation – the victims are living on private land involving two plots or land titles,” he said.

Walter said the plan would also include providing basic amenities such as electricity, water supply and a jetty to ensure the residents’ long-term welfare.

Yesterday, 28 houses were destroyed in a fire at about 3 am in Kampung Nunuyan Laut, leaving more than 100 people homeless.

-- BERNAMA