SANDAKAN: Each head of household affected by yesterday’s fire at Kampung Bahagia here will receive RM2,000 in initial assistance from the Sabah State Government.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the aid comprises RM1,000 from the state government and RM1,000 from the Sabah Welfare Foundation.
“The state government is deeply sympathetic to what has happened. It was a major fire that destroyed almost 1,000 houses.
“We hope this assistance will help ease their burden. I expect it will take one to two weeks before we get a full report on the fire victims,” he told reporters when visiting the relief centre (PPS) at the Batu Sapi People’s Housing Project hall here today.
Hajiji said the state government is currently formulating several plans, including a proposal to redevelop the area into a legal settlement, but further decisions will depend on the full report from the Sandakan District Disaster Committee.
On relocation plans, he said the state government is considering the matter but will await formal proposals from the relevant authorities.
He also stressed that financial assistance will be provided to all victims regardless of nationality status.
Six relief centres have been opened so far to accommodate the victims, he added. – BERNAMA
