KUCHING: The state government has disbursed a total of RM2,170,000 in financial aid to fire victims of Long Seridan and Long Peluan in Mulu.
Deputy State Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Gerawat Gala said of the amount, RM1,540,000 was distributed to Long Peluan while the remaining RM630,000 to Long Seridan.
Long Peluan, a 22-door longhouse, was destroyed in a fire sometime in April 2018 while the nine-door Long Seridan was razed in May 2017. Both longhouses are located in Baram.
Gerawat, who is also Mulu assemblyman, said the financial assistance was to assist the fire victims to rebuild their longhouses and respective ‘biliks’.
“Each ‘bilik’ is given RM70,000. The new Long Seridan longhouse has been rebuilt by the residents themselves and is almost completed while the Long Peluan longhouse is still under construction, also by the owners themselves.
“Our GPS government is a government that cares for our rakyat and will always help the rakyat,” he added in a statement today.
He thanked Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and his deputy Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas for the financial assistance.
“Without the financial aid it would be extremely difficult for the affected families to rebuild their homes,” he added.
Gerawat said the government had also disbursed RM70,000 to a Penan family from Long Benali who house was razed by fire about two years ago.
He said similar assistance would also be extended in due course to fire victims of Long Selaan, Long Balaw and Pa Derung once the necessary approvals had been obtained.
