SANDAKAN: Acts of vandalism by irresponsible individuals were believed to have caused two more houses built under People Assistance Project (PBR) at Kampung Lupak Meluas Laut to collapse yesterday morning.
The first house that collapsed was unoccupied while the second house was occupied by a family comprising of a mother and five children aged between three to 16 years old.
Homeowner, Nisfa Habibulah, 42, said the incident happened at around 9 am when neighbours called out to her and her children to
escape from their house as the nearby house was about to collapse.
Nisfa said her family managed to escape as her kitchen started tumbling down caused by the first house before both houses eventually collapsed.
“My family have stayed here for over a year and I never thought such situation could happen.
“Anyway, I’m glad that we are all safe, though many of our household items were lost submerged in the sea,” she said, adding that her family
has decided to reside temporarily in their previous home now.
It is understood that the first house which collapsed during the incident was unoccupied since a year ago with a lot of its support pillars stolen by unscrupulous individuals. As a result, the house was no longer suitable to live in and it eventually collapsed.
Meanwhile, Sekong assemblyman, Datuk Samsudin Yahya, who visited the family said, he will identify a suitable place to rebuild a replacement for the collapsed houses.
He also advised residents not to rely solely on the government to repair all the damage at their homes.
“The government has provided these houses so that people can live comfortably. However, they should not rely on the government alone, but must take their own initiative to repair if any damage were spotted at their homes,” he said.
To date, four houses built under PBR and one under Poor People Housing Project had reportedly collapsed.
Deputy president of the Sandakan Municipal Council (MPS), Hamsan Awang Supain, regrets that some houses provided by the government were left vacant while there were still many more needy people waiting to have such assistance.
“Therefore, we would urge any family who received such houses to take care of it as best as possible,” he said.