Fire victims want approval of loan application for new longhouse expedited

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Langat stands in front of what is left of the old longhouse that was razed by fire early this month.

MARUDI: The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has been called on to expedite the approval of application for longhouse construction loan from fire victims of Rh Langat Anthony Collin.

Tuai Rumah Langat Anthony Collin said the new longhouse is needed to replace the one that was razed by fire early this month that left over 200 residents of the 36-door longhouse homeless.

“A meeting between the village security and development committee (JKKK) and longhouse residents was held here recently and the villagers had agreed to apply for the longhouse construction loan.

“The villagers have signed the application forms that will be handed out to HDC sometime this week. It is hoped that the relevant authorities would expedite the application for our new longhouse to ease our burden,” said Langat when met by The Borneo Post at the longhouse recently.

Langat revealed that the fire victims were temporarily taking shelter at the remaining portion of the longhouse that was not brought down by the fire.

“Following the tragedy, we are building a few temporary ‘pondok’ (huts) for the villagers before the new longhouse gets completed.

“We are really looking towards the new longhouse as every year, we also had to face floods at the old longhouse site and we need to be relocated to a new site at a higher ground as soon as possible,” he said.

Langat said various government departments, non-governmental organisations, corporate agencies, people’s representatives and individuals had assisted them to tackle problems arising from the floods and fire.

“We have received help in various forms from various parties.

“We are very fortunate to be able to live in a country that values the act of mutual assistance,” said Langat.

On the cause of the recent fire, Langat said it was still under investigation and they were awaiting report from the Fire and Rescue Department.

Langat was met during the MYY Youth Community Service Programme organised by Miri Division Youth and Sports Office in collaboration with Oil Town Adventure Club (OAC) Taman Tunku, Miri.

“This is an excellent and effective programme to help our villagers in terms of food, cooking utensils, clothing and others.

“We also hope that more parties will help us in the near future by providing assistance that we are in dire need of, including water tanks, cooking gas and  bins for cooking and home appliances,” he added.