KOTA KINABALU: Fifty-seven families who lost their homes in the Lembaga Padi fire incident in October have been relocated to the Telipok Ria Apartments near here.
Assistant Resource Development and Information Technology Minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid said the deposit for moving into the apartments had been waived.
“We are in the process of registering them into the e-Kasih programme where they will be eligible for the minimal RM124 per-month rental,” Jainab told reporters after presenting two cows to the state Fire and Rescue Services Department at their housing quarters along Sepanggar Road, near here yesterday.
Forty houses were razed in one of the worst fires this year which left 200 families and 1,076 people homeless. The estimated loss was RM2.2 million.
Touching on the fire victims, she explained: “There are two types – those who have received the offer letter to be resettled at the Telipok Ria Apartments and those whose case is still pending.
“However, after taking into consideration the nature of their situation, we have to give priority to Malaysians who lost their homes in the fire although they have yet to receive the offer letters.”
She added her officers had been very thorough in identifying eligible recipients for the housing scheme. “We make sure only Malaysians will get the assistance.”
Jainab added they had come across several applications by foreigners and illegal immigrants who are taking advantage of the situation to apply for the housing scheme and other assistance.
The assistant minister said she was also working on getting compensation from the land owner for the fire victims.
She later joined the Fire and Rescue Services Department personnel in slaughtering the two cows. The meat was distributed to the fire and rescue personnel and nearby villagers.
Also present at the ceremony were Sabah Fire and Rescue Department director Khirudin Drahman, Kota Kinabalu and Tuaran Academy Commander Zainal Madasin, Sembulan Fire and Rescue Services Department officer-in-charge Ibnu Sahad Bin Hj Punggak and Sembulan station fire chief Ariffin Harris.