Relief centres to operate as usual when schools reopen
by Saiful Bahari reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on December 30, 2011, Friday
BETTER DAYS SOON: Fatimah (centre), flanked by Dr Hazland (on her right), and Robert, Noriah (third right) in a photo call with the flood victims.
KUCHING: Ten schools used as flood relief centres will operate as usual when the new school term starts next week, since only their halls are used for the purpose.
The schools are SK Bradek and SK St Peter in Kuching, SK Terasi, SK Sampun, SK Haji Kelali in Samarahan Division, SMK Simunjan, SJK (C) Chung Hua Pantu in Sri Aman, SMK Julau in Sarikei, Bukit Arip and SK Iban Union in Sibu.
According to Minister of Welfare, Women and Family Development Datuk Fatimah Abdullah, it was important that the relief centres would not affect the school session.
“However, since the flood water is receding and more flood victims have returned home, we expect the situation to return to normal soon,” she said when met
after visiting flood relief centres at SJK (C) Chung Hua Pantu in Sri Aman, SK Haji Kelali in Samarahan and Kampung Semilang mosque in Kuching yesterday.
While in Kampung Semilang earlier, she reminded the flood victims to check if food items donated by the (welfare) department or individuals were all fit for consumption.
Meanwhile, Demak Laut assemblymen Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, said that preparation for flood in Demak Laut had been on the card since early December.
“We anticipate this (flood) to happen and a committee has been set up to help the victims. However, I urge the victims to be patient when receiving material assistance,” he said.
Fatimah, accompanied by Dr Hazland, Assistant Minister of Welfare Robert Lawson Chuat and Welfare Department State director Noriah Ahmad, later on presented food assistance to the flood victims. The items were donated by Welfare Department, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera (PBB) and Beras Nasional (Bernas).
