KUCHING: Residents affected by the landslide incident that occurred in Kampung Lereng Bukit, Miri, on January 29 will soon be relocated to a new area.
Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Patinggi Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, said the relocation project will commence after the upcoming Gawai celebration, and will be implemented by an agency under the Sarawak Government.
“In view of the urgency of certain projects such as the total destruction of 15 houses in Miri, it has been agreed that the (relocation) project will begin after the Gawai celebration as land has already been secured and resolved.
“We have also agreed to delegate the implementation authority to a state government agency, rather than using FELCRA Bina Sdn Bhd or GiatMara as the implementing body,” he said.
He said this during a press conference after chairing the briefing session on the implementation of programmes and development projects under the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) here today.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the KKDW Minister, further said the relocation site has been identified and designated by the Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA), near the Orang Ulu Rurum Kelabit settlement area in Miri.
The fatal landslide that struck at around 2:55 am on January 29 had impacted 277 residents.
Tragically, five lives were lost in the incident.
The victims were a 16-year-old boy, a 41-year-old woman, an eight-year-old girl, an 11-year-old girl, and a 71-year-old woman.
Earlier, Ahmad Zahid arrived in Kuching for a two-day official visit.
Tomorrow (May 31), he is scheduled to attend and officiate the closing ceremony of the Makmur Smallholder Programme and the RISDA Sarawak 2025 Pre-Gawai celebration at Rumah Guang Latip, Kampung Raeh Baru, Siburan.
The event is set to begin at 10:00 am and conclude at 1:00 pm, marking the end of Zahid’s official working visit to Sarawak.
