KUCHING: The process of delivering the Sarawakku Sayang relief goods throughout the state is progressing smoothly.
In many areas, according to the district and division disaster management committees, the goods are being delivered with the help of express boats and land vehicles.
This was revealed yesterday by International Trade and Industry, Industry Terminal and Entrepreneur Development Assistant Minister of Datuk Naroden Majais, who is also a member of the food supply chain committee.
“However, there are still areas in the interiors which are in need of air transport services and for this we will be assisted by the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF),” he said, adding that MAF had prepared a helicopter unit based in Miri to start making deliveries to Ulu Baram yesterday.
At least one more helicopter is needed to make deliveries to Ulu Rajang areas including Kapit and Belaga.
Naroden clarified that the helicopter services would cover five constituencies involving 2,712 household chiefs, namely 1,131 household chiefs in Telang Usan, 828 household chiefs in Mulu, 355 household chiefs in Batang Ai, 194 household chiefs in Murum, and 204 household chiefs in Meluan.
“Air deliveries will start at 10.30am from Miri Airport,” he said.
“In total, there are 444,329 household chiefs for all 82 constituencies in Sarawak. Of the 77 constituencies where the goods are delivered by land, 67 constituencies have received them.
“The goods will be delivered to the remaining 10 constituencies as soon as possible,” he said adding that all allocations for divisional disaster committees have been channelled to their respective accounts.
Naroden added that the supply of ‘Point of Sale’ (POS) food at grocery stores was sufficient and was being monitored by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP).
However, for items usually sold through retail stores under the management of KPDNHEP, a federal government agency responsible for the goods and items had mobilised its logistics to ship stocks to all 800 POSs throughout Sarawak beginning last Friday.
