Negeri Sembilan Govt To Cover Temporary Rent For Ampangan Fire Victims

SEREMBAN, Oct 27 (Bernama) -- The state government, through the Negeri Sembilan Islamic Religious Council (MAINS), will cover house rental payments for Ampangan fire victims for three months while they secure new accommodation.

Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Ismail Lasim said the assistance could be extended to six months if the victims have not found new rental homes by then.

"The Seremban District Office will assist in arranging new housing for three families involving eight victims who lost their homes in the incident," he told reporters after visiting them at the temporary relief centre at Balai Raya Gedong Lalang here today.

He said some victims remain traumatised by the incident but continue to receive support from government departments and agencies visiting the PPS to distribute aid and ease their burden.

Meanwhile, the owner of the four rented units, Mohamad Firdaus Kasim, 59, said the houses, built on a 0.1349-hectare plot, were inherited from his late father in 1960. The fire caused estimated losses of RM300,000.

In a separate development, Ismail said preparations for the Negeri Sembilan Budget are nearly complete. A few final discussions remain, including rescheduling the tabling date, expected at the end of this month.

He said the state government has received good cooperation from ministries, government departments, and elected representatives who provided input to improve the budget preparation.

"The allocation is sufficient, there is no issue. This budget is important, and I hope all parties can cooperate so the State Legislative Assembly can convene and the budget can proceed," he said.

Meanwhile, Ismail once again denied allegations about his resignation as Menteri Besar, reaffirming that his focus remains on driving state development and safeguarding the welfare of the people.

-- BERNAMA