KAPIT, Oct 12 — Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi has emphasised the need to enhance disaster preparedness, particularly in terms of fire-fighting equipment in longhouse areas.
He said this was highlighted while chairing a site review meeting at Rumah Austin Ekau, Nanga Sipan, Song, today, to discuss post-fire follow-up actions following the blaze that occurred on Sept 28.
The fire involved 29 doors with 81 residents and completely destroyed the entire longhouse structure.
“This incident is truly heartbreaking and should serve as an important lesson for all of us. I stress the need to improve our disaster preparedness, especially in terms of fire-fighting equipment, which is still not at a satisfactory level,” he said in a statement today.
Nanta, who is also the Member of Parliament for Kapit, reminded relevant parties such as the Fire and Rescue Department and other safety agencies to conduct regular inspections and report any shortcomings to the authorities for immediate action.
According to him, the meeting also agreed on a proposal to rebuild the longhouse on its original site, but its implementation would depend on resolving land ownership and site-clearing issues first.
For now, affected residents are constructing temporary shelters (dampa) with financial assistance of RM10,000 from the Social Welfare Department (JKM).
In addition, the government is providing RM70,000 per door for the construction of new permanent houses, while Nanta and Katibas assemblyman Lidam Assan each contributed RM1,000 per door as a gesture of concern to ease the burden of affected residents.
“At the same time, discussions also covered assistance and allocations for reinforcing and clearing the longhouse site destroyed by the fire. Besides government aid, I also announced an additional contribution of RM10,000 per door, bringing the total to RM290,000 to support the rebuilding of the longhouse,” he said.
Of that amount, RM145,000 will be channelled soon to help residents build temporary shelters before the construction of the permanent homes begins.
He expressed hope that all these efforts and assistance would help restore the spirits and livelihoods of affected families and serve as a reminder to everyone of the importance of disaster preparedness. — Bernama
