A bedridden Laing in troubled waters

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Dennis (second left), Michael (left) and Temenggong Elizabeth visiting Laing.

LONG BEMANG, Baram: Although the ground floor of the longhouse was flooded for almost a week, bedridden Laing Emang Jau has refused to be evacuated to the upper floor.

He prefers to remain at the ground floor where it is cooler, until of course the inevitable.

Laing is stricken with paralysis and confined to the bed following an accident while working in a timber camp 14 years ago.

Prior to that, he was the driver of logging trailers.

Laing poured out his woes to Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau who visited him during a flood inspection in Long Bemang. Laing said life has been hard for him and his family since he lost the ability to support them.

According to Laing, he has been requesting assistance from relevant government agencies and bodies but met with no positive response. Currently, he receives some assistance from Eda Beran Community Rehabilitation Centre.

The assemblyman in his response said he will look into assistance for Laing.

But Dennis advised Laing to be ready to be evacuated to the upper floor if the waters rise due to unpredicted weather.

Accompanying Dennis on the flood inspection were Long Lama senior administrative officer Michael Louis Balo and Temenggong Elizabeth Ding.