Ahmad Zahid (third left) presenting the special allocation to Mazlan, with Elisa at his left. Looking on are (from left) Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed, State Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar, Uggah, Dr Sim, Ik Pahon, and Kampung Paon Rimu Bakong chief Stephen Empudod.
KUCHING: The parents of deceased rabies victims Monica and Jackson Mazlan are grateful for the RM60,000 special allocation from Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Mazlan Puzan and his wife Elisa John appeared touched by the kindness shown to them by the government as they sought to rebuild their lives following the tragic deaths of their children.
The couple, who declined to be interviewed, received the special allocation from Ahmad Zahid during a ceremony held at the the Hornbill Skyways Helicopter Base here yesterday.
According to officials present, the contribution came from Ahmad Zahid’s own ministerial allocation, with RM58,000 out of the RM60,000 set to be used to build the family’s new house.
Before handing over the special allocation, Ahmad Zahid was given an update on the rabies situation in the state by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who is the State Disaster Management Committee chairman.
Six-year-old Monica and four-year-old Jackson – from Kampung Paon Sungai Rimu in Serian – were among four children from the district infected with the rabies virus. They succumbed on July 4.
So far, six villages in Serian have been declared as rabies-infected areas.
Also present during yesterday’s ceremony were Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, State Health Department director Dr Jamilah Hashim, First Division Infantry Commander Major General Datuk Stephen Mundaw, and Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) president Datu Ik Pahon Joyik.