SIBU: The distribution of initial flood relief aid is at the discretion of the Sarawak Disaster Management Commi ee (SDMC) Secretariat, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said priority will be given to affected families forced to relocate to temporary flood evacuation centres (PPS).

“As we know, many have lost their homes and so on. The allocation given is to help flood victims who relocated to the PPS.

“I have allocated RM10 million to SDMC, and as I said before, if the amount is insufficient, we are ready to increase the amount if there is a need to do so,” he said when met during his Chinese New Year visits here yesterday.

“For example, longhouses that were affected by the flood but whose residents did not relocate, that ma er (flood relief aid) is handled by the administration at the divisional level and it will be decided by the chairman of the SDMC.”

On a separate ma er, Abang Johari said the state government will conduct a review of newly constructed roads in Sibu, including Jalan Kong Yit Khim Sibu Jaya.

He noted that the opening of the new Jalan Kong Yit KhimSibu Jaya had caused congestion along Jalan Salim.

Among those the Premier visited yesterday were Bawang Assan assemblyman Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng, and Sibu Municipal Council councillor Raymond Tiong.

Abang Johari was accompanied by wife Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, and others.

The delegation arrived at Wong’s residence around 2.30pm and was greeted by a dragon and lion dance performance.

Among the notable guests present was Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.

BINTULU: Disheartened to see constituents – who had originally been preparing to celebrate Chinese New Year with their families – facing hardship and displacement due to floods, Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing says he and his team are doing their utmost in disaster relief and rebuilding efforts.

He said he and his team were overwhelmed by the magnitude of the flood that hit Bintulu and his Dudong state constituency.

“The scale of this flood is huge, affecting a vast area and a large number of victims. “Throughout this process, we find ourselves overwhelmed, exhausted and even disoriented at times,” he said on his Facebook yesterday, Bernama reported.

He also apologised to the public for not being able to personally respond to the many Chinese New Year greetings and messages of concern during the period.

The people’s blessings, he said, gave him the strength to persevere and their encouragement gave him the confidence to overcome the challenges.

“I firmly believe that together, we can overcome this hardship and rebuild hope. “As we usher in the Chinese New Year, I also wish everyone good health, peace and prosperity. May we be blessed with favourable weather and harmony,” said Tiong, who is also the Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister.

He skipped the celebration on the first day of Chinese New and went to the ground to join the relevant authorities in disaster relief operations.

Pictures of Tiong clad only in a round-neck T-shirt and shorts during the operation were widely “I firmly believe that together, we can overcome this hardship and rebuild hope.” Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing circulated on social media.

Yet to some people, this was just a show by Tiong, who is the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president, to gain popularity.

This was, however, quickly debunked by many who said Tiong is well known for his close attachment to his constituents.

Getting wet in the flood water, which he had done many times, was just the tip of an iceberg, they said.

“You’re the best Member of Parliament that I know and our Bintulu right now has Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing. May God bless you always ... Aamiin,” wrote Saharudeen Taha.

“A truly caring gentleman. Bintulu folks are blessed to have DS Tiong,” wrote Royston Sim.

According to the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee Secretariat, as of 8am yesterday, the number of evacuees in the Bintulu Division (covering Bintulu, Tatau and Sebauh districts) stood at 5,184.

PETALING JAYA – Jabatan Meteorologi (MetMalaysia) menjangkakan ribut petir, hujan lebat dan angin kencang di dua negeri sehingga 5 petang ini.

MetMalaysia memaklumkan dalam kenyataan hari ini, dua negeri yang terjejas adalah Sabah dan Sarawak.

KOTA BHARU - Bantuan segera dapat dilakukan kepada mangsa banjir di Sabah dan Sarawak melalui pemantauan 24 jam di Pusat Gerakan Operasi Kebombaan Kebangsaan (PGOK) yang berpangkalan di Putrajaya.

Timbalan Ketua Pengarah Operasi Jabatan Bomba Penyelamat Malaysia (JBPM), Datuk Ir Ahmad Izram Osman berkata, maklumat berkaitan akan terus disalurkan kepada pegawai dan anggota penyelamat di lokasi terbabit.

Menurutnya, tindakan segera anggota dan pegawai di PGOK akan memudahkan pergerakan untuk operasi menyelamat mangsa.

"JBPM antara agensi awal menerima maklumat termasuk kejadian tanah runtun di Miri selain hujan lebat di Bintulu dan kita boleh melihat secara langsung lokasi kejadian ini," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita selepas Program Sumbangan Kebajikan Persatuan Kebajikan Dengan Kerjasama Biro Kebajikan Perisma JBPM pada Isnin.

Jelas beliau, jabatan itu turut mendapat kerjasama Agensi Pengurusan Bencana Negara (Nadma) yang bertindak sebagai koordinator ketika operasi menyelamat mangsa di Sabah dan Sarawak.

Ahmad Izram memberitahu, bomba tidak mengalami masalah membabitkan logistik dalam operasi berkenaan dan semua peralatan mencukupi.

Tambah beliau, semua kemudahan menyelamat menggunakan logistik sedia ada di dua negeri berkenaan tanpa melibatkan negeri di semenanjung.

Dalam pada itu katanya, semua aset yang dikumpulkan di negeri pantai barat belum dipulangkan kerana masih bimbang berlaku luruan bencana banjir yang mungkin memberi kesan kepada negeri terbabit termasuk Kelantan.

"Kita masih bersiap sedia dengan logistik seperti lori dan bot hingga pertengahan Mac depan," katanya.

Pada majlis berkenaan seramai 11 waris anggota bomba yang meninggal dunia sama ada kemalangan ketika bekerja atau sakit turut menerima sumbangan wang tunai.