adminKUALA LUMPUR: The plight of the victims of the fire in Kampung Bahagia, Sandakan, Sabah has received the attention of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim when His Majesty agreed to channel a personal gift to help the affected victims.
The assistance will be distributed through the Sultan Ibrahim Johor Foundation (YSIJ) in an effort to alleviate the hardship of the families involved in the incident.
His Majesty also ordered that the foundation liaise with the Sabah State Government to ensure that the aid distribution process runs smoothly and reaches the targeted recipients.
According to a statement from the Royal Press Office on Wednesday, the initiative reflects His Majesty’s concern for the fate of the victims who were displaced in the tragedy.
“Many have lost their homes in this tragedy. I pray that the victims of the fire will be given fortitude and strength in facing the trials that befell them,” said His Majesty.
On Sunday, a massive fire in the floating village of Kampung Bahagia, Sandakan destroyed about 1,000 houses, covering an area of more than four hectares.
A total of 1,912 victims from 385 families affected by the fire tragedy have been placed in eight temporary evacuation centres (PPS) as of 8 am this morning.
The Sabah State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) Secretariat informed that the victims were placed at the Batu Sapi People’s Housing Program PPS, the Gas National School (SK) Hall, the Kampung Bahagia SK Hall, the Batu Sapi National Secondary School (SMK), the Sibuga Hall, and SK Karamunting which opened last Sunday.
“Two more PPS were opened on Monday, namely the Senior Citizens’ Multipurpose Hall and Tiong Hwa National Secondary School. The trend of victims being placed in PPS this morning has increased,” the statement said today.
The statement said no casualties were reported in the incident.
-Agency
