SONG: A comprehensive post-fire recovery plan has been drawn up for the residents of Rumah Austin Ekau, Nanga Sipan, here, following the blaze that destroyed the 29-door longhouse on September 28.
Kapit Member of Parliament, Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, said the proposal to rebuild the longhouse at its original site was among the key decisions made during a post-fire assessment meeting he chaired today.
He explained that the reconstruction work would commence once land ownership matters and site clearing issues are resolved.
“For the time being, the affected residents are in the process of building temporary shelters (dampa) with the assistance of RM10,000 per unit from the Welfare Department (JKM),” he said in a Facebook post.
Nanta added the government has allocated RM70,000 per door for the construction of new permanent houses, providing crucial support for families who lost their homes.
In addition, he and Katibas Assemblyman, Lidam Assan, contributed RM1,000 per door to ease the burden of the affected residents.
Nanta also announced an additional RM10,000 per door contribution, amounting to a total of RM290,000, to assist with the rebuilding efforts.
Of this, RM145,000 will be channelled soon to help residents complete their temporary shelters before permanent reconstruction begins.
The meeting was held prior to a site visit to the longhouse, which was razed in the early hours of the morning, affecting 81 residents.
Describing the incident as deeply saddening, Nanta said it should serve as a reminder of the importance of preparedness in facing disasters.
He noted the need to enhance firefighting capabilities in rural communities, noting that equipment levels remain inadequate.
“I urge the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) and other relevant security agencies to conduct regular inspections and report any shortcomings to the authorities for immediate action,” he stressed.
He also said allocations for retaining and cleaning works at the site were discussed to facilitate rebuilding.
Nanta expressed hope that the collective efforts and contributions will help restore the lives and spirit of the affected families, while reinforcing the importance of disaster preparedness among rural communities.
