KUCHING: The Ministry of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development will provide assistance to the victims of the recent shophouse fire on Jalan Liu Shan Bang, Mile 7 here.
Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah in a statement today sent condolences to the family of the 12-year-old disabled boy who tragically lost his life in the fire yesterday (Jan 9).
She said her ministry, through the Social Welfare Department (JKM), is committed to providing immediate relief and psychological support during this challenging period.
“JKM is currently assessing the assistance that can be channelled to the victim’s family.
“Counsellors from JKM are ready to provide crisis intervention and psychological support. We hope that this comprehensive assistance will help the family to cope with the sorrow resulting from the tragic incident,” she said.
The ministry also outlined a relief plan for the affected families which include a sleeping equipment pack comprising a mattress and pillow, priced at RM100 per person.
Additionally, families will receive a personal hygiene pack and kitchen utensils (RM700 per family), pocket money allowances (RM100 per person), and clothing allowance (RM200 per person).
Dry food assistance of RM50 is also being provided, along with school clothing (RM200 per person), school equipment (RM100 per person), and building materials (RM 5,000 per house).
The relief efforts are being coordinated by Kuching Divisional Social Welfare Office (PKBM), which will initiate an investigation tomorrow (Jan 11) to assess the extent of the damage and the specific needs of each affected family.
The fire, which involved six shophouses, occurred around 3.30 pm yesterday (Jan 9).
The body of the disabled 12-year-old boy, Jindra Hiew Zhi Tao, was found in the living room on the second floor of a grocery store. His remains were discovered at 5.26 pm.
