BINTULU: Flood disaster victims who chose not to evacuate to temporary evacuation centres (PPS) will still have their situations assessed before decisions on compassionate aid are made, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
He explained that he had never issued any directive denying aid to those who remained at home.
Instead, he reiterated that evacuation remains crucial for safety when flood conditions worsen.
“Actually, I never made such an announcement. What I said was that all affected individuals who need to evacuate should do so, because it is important as evacuation is to save their lives.
“For example, in Sebauh earlier, some longhouses were flooded up to the roof. So, what will happen if they don’t evacuate? That’s why in Kuching, one victim refused to leave, and we had to move them out,” he said.
He said this to reporters during a press conference after Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg visited PPS in Bintulu today.
Uggah explained that while PPS evacuation is standard procedure, exceptions can be considered under specific circumstances.
He added that State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) divisional chairpersons have been briefed on the conditions under which such exceptions may be allowed.
“Regarding compensation for those who did not evacuate, we will consider their situation, but we have given several conditions to the SDMC divisional chairpersons.
“Under certain circumstances, if someone needs to stay behind to take care of their longhouse, two or three people – we can consider that.
“But we have also discussed with the police that any longhouse left empty must be monitored closely to ensure nothing happens,” he said.
Uggah emphasised that the primary concern remains the safety of residents, but those who stay behind for valid reasons will not be automatically excluded.
“So regarding those who did not evacuate, we will look at the situation,” he assured.
