Fate of 500 fire victims remains a priority

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SECOND OF A THREE-PART SERIES

More than 10 years after the incident, the fate of the 500 fire victims in Kampung Datu Lama and Kampung Hilir remains a priority for the Sarawak government.

Although some of the victims rebuilt their homes in the fire-affected area, which is located by the riverbank of Kampung Hilir and Kampung Datu Lama, the state government is keen to ensure that the incident will not repeat itself by constructing affordable homes in the Kampung Datu Baru area.

Under the leadership of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, the Sarawak government has successfully completed the redevelopment of the Kampung Datu Baru area and offered those who rebuilt their homes to move to the redevelopment site.

Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation, and Talent Development, Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, who is also the Nangka assemblyman, shared that 104 affordable homes, each measuring 850 square feet, have been built as part of the redevelopment.

“These houses come with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The cost to build each home is RM250,000, but the residents only have to pay RM150,000, with the government subsidising the remaining RM100,000,” he said when met by reporters during a recent dialogue session with the residents.

He added that each family or landowner affected by the tragedy received compensation from the government, and most received more than the cost of the affordable houses.

“After paying for the house (RM150,000), they still have compensation ranging between RM50,000 and RM100,000 left, which can be used to move into the house.

“Only about ten individuals did not receive cash compensation (the compensation amount was smaller than RM150,000) as their original homes or land were smaller.

“However, the government provided additional assistance to ensure they could still afford the new homes built by the Sarawak government,” he said.

Regarding the size of the houses, Dr Annuar said that the size corresponds to the cost.

“Larger houses would require an even greater subsidy. If the cost exceeded RM150,000, residents might not have received enough compensation to help with the move into the house.

“Although the government is providing RM5,000 to assist with relocation costs, that may not be enough for a smooth transition,” he said.

Dr Annuar also assured that homeowners could renovate their houses to make them bigger, as the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) has approved three types of renovation plans to ensure standardisation of design and to maintain the area’s neatness and tidiness.

“Any alterations to the approved designs or suggestions for renovations would require SMC approval,” he added.

He emphasised that the redevelopment has significantly improved the community’s living conditions, offering them a better quality of life with greater dignity.

Over the past 10 years since the tragedy, houses in the area had become increasingly dense and packed together, raising concerns that such a tragic incident could happen again.

For the record, 64 houses in Kampung Datu Lama and Kampung Hilir were destroyed in the massive fire, leaving 143 families homeless.

Following the fire, the victims purchased affordable homes in Kampung Datu Baru, moved to PPRT houses in Kampung Bahagia Jaya Teku, or resided in PPRT houses on Jalan Jerwit and recently, a total of 39 families moved into affordable houses in Kampung Datu Baru.