KUCHING (March 12): A total of 150 welfare aid recipients each received RM100 cash and a hamper from the Welfare Department (JKM) Sarawak at the ‘Sejambak Kasih Hari Raya Aidilfitri’ programme here yesterday.

When met by reporters at the event in Majma Mall here, Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah highlighted the state government’s commitment of supporting the welfare of its people, particularly during the festive seasons.

“This year, a total of 4,465 welfare aid recipients in Kuching celebrating Hari Raya will receive an additional RM100, on top of their regular monthly aid.

“The department has also increased the monthly assistance for senior citizens from RM500 to RM600. Hopefully, this increase would help ease the burden of our senior citizens.

“If the state’s revenue continues to grow, we hope to provide even better support in the future,” she said.

The minister added that JKM Sarawak had already allocated over RM49 million in aid distribution within the first two months of this year, with senior citizens being the largest group of recipients.

“Sarawak is projected to become an ageing state by 2028, with senior citizens making up 15 per cent of the population. As such, the number of elderly welfare aid recipients is expected to rise.

“However, the government hopes to see an increase in household income so that fewer people will need financial assistance.”

At yesterday’s event, three individuals received their Kenyalang Gold Cards (KGC), and two others were presented with Persons with Special Needs (PwD) cards.

In addition, four families affected by the fire that struck Kampung Tabuan Lot on March 5 were given assistance by JKM.

“Whenever a disaster occurs, the Welfare Department responds immediately. The first form of aid provided is food assistance. Dry food supplies have already been distributed, along with sleeping essentials and kitchen equipment worth RM11,700.

“Other disaster relief assistance, including pocket money, daily clothing, school uniforms, and school supplies, amounts to RM18,400,” said Fatimah, adding that the Sarawak government had also increased its disaster relief allocation, doubling the daily meal allowance for disaster victims from RM25 to RM50.

Also present yesterday were Fatimah’s deputy ministers Datuk Rosey Yunus and Datuk Mohamad Razi Sitam, as well as ministry permanent secretary Datu Felicia Tan.

KOTA KINABALU: Jumlah mangsa banjir berlindung di 29 pusat pemindahan sementara (PPS) di Sabah tidak banyak berubah tengah hari ini, iaitu 4,530 orang daripada 1,488 keluarga berbanding 4,555 orang daripada 1,493 keluarga pada malam tadi.

Sekretariat Jawatankuasa Pengurusan Bencana Negeri (JPBN) Sabah dalam kenyataan memaklumkan mangsa banjir paling ramai direkodkan di Beaufort dengan 1,719 mangsa daripada 556 keluarga di tujuh PPS.

Ini diikuti Tenom dengan 1,119 orang daripada 420 keluarga ditempatkan di 14 PPS, Membakut (914 orang daripada 312 keluarga di lima PPS) dan Sook (778 orang daripada 200 keluarga di tiga PPS).

"Sebanyak 41 kampung terjejas akibat banjir iaitu 16 di Tenom, masing-masing 10 di Beufort dan Membakut serta lima di Sook," menurut kenyataan itu.

Sementara itu Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) Sabah juga menerusi kenyataan memaklumkan jambatan di KM0.74 Jalan Minasut Kampung Baru ke SRK, Keningau ditutup sehingga dimaklumkan kelak.

"Penutupan disebabkan struktur penampan jambatan runtuh akibat bencana banjir kilat dan tidak boleh dilalui semua jenis kenderaan," menurut kenyataan itu.

KOTA KINABALU: The number of flood victims taking shelter at 29 temporary evacuation centres (PPS) in Sabah remains unchanged, with the figure standing at 4,530 people from 1,488 families as of noon Tuesday (March 11), compared to 4,555 people from 1,493 families at 8pm Monday (March 10) night.

In a statement, the Sabah State Disaster Management Committee secretariat said the highest number of flood victims is in Beaufort, where seven PPS are housing 1,719 victims from 556 families.

This is followed by Tenom, where 1,119 people from 420 families are accommodated in 14 PPS; Membakut, with 914 people from 312 families in five PPS; and Sook, where three PPS shelter 778 people from 200 families.

"A total of 41 villages have been affected by the floods. The highest number of impacted villages is in Tenom (16 villages), followed by Sook (five villages), and 10 villages each in Beaufort and Membakut.

"The evacuation figure remains unchanged as of noon today," the statement added.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement, the Sabah Public Works Department said the bridge at KM0.74 on Jalan Minasut Kampung Baru to SRK, Keningau, is closed until further notice.

"The closure is due to the collapse of the bridge abutment structure caused by a flash flood, making it impassable for all types of vehicles," the statement said.

The department advised the public to use alternative routes via Jalan Kampung Baru and Jalan Minasut. - Bernama

BEAUFORT (March 11): Families affected by flood here and in Membakut received emergency cash assistance totalling RM1,300 from the Federal and State governments.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor said of the amount RM1,000 comes from the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and RM300 from Yayasan Kebajikan Sabah (YKS).

Apart from the cash aids, each family evacuated to the temporary evacuation centres (PPS) would also receive food assistance.

The Chief Minister said this after visiting PPS Dewan Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd Dun Banir, which currently houses 147 families comprising 412 victims here, on Tuesday.

Seven PPS have been opened since flood started on March 7 providing shelter to a total of 1,944 people from 614 families here.

At the PPS, the Chief Minister presented the assistance and spoke with the flood victims.

“I came here to meet with the victims and personally see the situation on the ground. I assured them that the government understood their predicament,” he said.

The Chief Minister also visited the town area, still submerged in water where he was briefed by District Officer Mohd Nazri Ajun.

Hajiji directed the Drainage and Irrigation Department to clear all waterways, particularly drains in order to mitigate flooding during this wet season.

He also visited the PPS Dewan Kesenian Islam, Membakut, one of four PPS activated in the district to present similar assistance to flood victims there.

The Membakut PPS currently houses some 278 families comprising 836 victims.

Accompanying the Chief Minister were State Secretary Datuk Seri Panglima Safar Untong, elected representatives and Prime Minister’s Senior Political Secretary Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin.