AID RELIEF: Nabila (right) cuddling her baby girl Nor Qalesya Balkis Tuah, son Asyraf (centre) and mother Hamdiah Mohd Said. — Photo by Jeffery Mostapha
KUCHING: Santubong MP Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaffar suggests that the proposal to charge lower rates for wiring of houses of hardcore families be brought for discussion in the next state legislative assembly meeting.
He said this is because poor families who cannot afford to install proper and safe wiring would resort to ‘steal’ electricity by using inferior materials and making illegal connection.
“Wiring a few houses from one main power supply may be a cheaper way to get electricity but the consequences are deadly and can cause fire,” he told reporters yesterday.
He was met during the handing-over of assistance to eight fire victim families at Tabuan Hilir.
“This pertinent issue should be brought up in the next state legislative assembly meeting,” he opined.
Wan Junaidi, who is also Deputy Parliament Speaker, was referring to the probable cause of fire that engulfed houses in Tabuan Hilir on July 27.
He advised community leaders and village heads to work together with Sesco to find an affordable way for electricity connection in the area, saying their limited income might have caused them to resort to illegal connection using inferior materials.
He also cautioned them against excessive use of electricity, especially if the connection is done using substandard and unapproved cables, as this could start a fire.
He said the incident which happened in the wee hours was said to have been caused by overloading but the relevant authority has yet to determine the real cause.
Earlier, Wan Junaidi handed over a sum of RM10,000 to six house owners whose roofs were ripped open by strong wind on July 26.
He also presented a sum of RM16,500 to the eight families affected by the fire.
When met, one of the victims 20-year-old Nabila Sarjono said she was relieved by the assistance given by the government and appreciated the caring leaders.
“I just want to thank them for the assistance. Without it, I am penniless and homeless. My family is glad to have such support,” he added.
Nabila is temporarily staying with her mother.