Villagers blame devastation on poor phone service

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DEVASTATED: Jinin (right) stressing a point to Husaini (centre) who was dazed by the extent of destruction caused by the fire.

LAWAS: Poor telecommunication coverage was laid bare when villagers in Kampung Ujong, Awat-Awat in Sundar, about 35 km from here, tried in vain to contact the Fire and Rescue Services Department to put on the fire razing their homes on Tuesday afternoon.

Putting the blame for the devastation of their village on the poor telecommunication service, their village chief Jini Munap said the blaze left 159 people from 16 houses homeless.

“I am not blaming anyone, but this should be a lesson for the relevant authorities that this communication problem should be resolved,” he said.

He said the same problem was faced by other villages in the large Awat Awat coastal settlement where houses were built on stilts linked by wooden walkways.

Journalists covering the incident had to travel up to 70km to Lawas from the village to file their stories as broadband service was hardly existent.

Jini said it was high time the government paid attention to their telecommunication woes in view of Budget 2014 announced by the prime minister.

Loss has been estimated to be around RM1.5 million in the fire, said to be the biggest to hit this northern part of Sarawak this year.

Lawas DO Hussaini Hakim, Lawas divisional welfare assistant director Aziah Saruji and Lawas welfare officer were at the scene.

The Welfare Department provided food for the victims while Public Works Department (PWD) provided clean water.

Kuala Lawas Malay Association (Perwaris) chairman Awang Damit Ali Hasan said a donation campaign was launched yesterday to raise funds for the victims.

“Members of the public can hand their donations like used clothing to the executive committee members,” he said.