Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah
KUCHING: The state government wants to put on record its appreciation to all volunteers and government servants who worked very hard to help flood victims across the state.
Sarawak Disaster Management and Relief Committee chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas was overwhelmed by the commitment and passion of the whole flood relief machinery.
“I wish to record my appreciation to all the divisional disaster committees headed by Residents and at the ground at district levels by the district officers.
“Now flood is happening in seven divisions throughout Sarawak and all divisions have shown their capabilities and effectiveness in assisting the flood victims,” he said.
Uggah added that he was very happy that all units and agencies rose to the occasion and braved all the problems brought by the flood and landslides in a true Sarawakian spirit.
“I am very happy with the close cooperation between the various departments – military, JPAM, Bomba, police, Nadma, district office, Medical Department, Agriculture Department, JKR for all working closely together to make sure problems faced by the ‘rakyat’ are minimised,” he said.
Uggah who went to Sibu after visiting Selangau rushed back to Kuching yesterday evening for an important function today.
“I am in Sibu now, earlier on I was in Selangau. Just now in one place a school that I visited, there was a landslide. Someone in our committee WhatsApp to
alert JKR and in a matter of few minutes they responded and looked into the problem and tried to find out how to control the situation.
“That is a reflection of the speed of the response of government agencies to problems created by the flood,” Uggah said in praising JKR.
Uggah, however, did not hide his displeasure at certain individuals from some political parties who made all kinds of wild accusations against the government’s relief effort.
“I must record my appreciation to all government officers involved but very sad that some irresponsible individuals and parties are belittling all their efforts and sacrifice.
“(They are) risking their life, sacrificed their time away from family – many of them manning the evacuation centres 24 hours, preparing food, ensuring the area is safe, making sure no mosquitoes, medical staff on alert in case people get sick and etc.
“I am really very happy with their contributions and very sad by the critics who belittle them,” Uggah added.