SIBU: A total of 12 houses have been built under the Jiwa Murni Project by the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) which was mulled in 2017 said Datuk Khirudin Drahman@Hussaini.
The Bomba state Director said that the project was funded by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic the allocation has been stopped.
“As of today, we have built 12 houses (in Sarawak). Four in Kuching and the rest in Miri, Bintulu and Sibu. The houses in Sibu were funded by Nangka Service Centre while the rest was funded by the federal government.
“This year, as you can see, we only did it in Sibu because of the allocation given by Nangka Service Centre. We got approval from the higher authorities to use our personnel and Alhamdullilah with this allocation we are able to provide houses for the homeowners,” he said.
He said this during a press conference held after the handing over of a new house to two families which was officiated at by Nangka assemblyman Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee at Kampung Seduan Jaya here yesterday.
Khirudin also stressed that Bomba will always be ready to participate in and support any project that will bring benefit to the community.
Meanwhile, one of the house recipients Mastura Jahan, 54, said that her old house is usually affected by flash floods, especially during the rainy season.
Not only that, there are poisonous animals and creatures such as scorpions, snakes and others tend to enter their house during the flood.
“I would like to thank YB (people representative) and the BOMBA for helping me to build this house. I have been waiting for this moment for a long time. My old house was often affected by floods. Sometimes the flood reaches knee level,” she said.
Meanwhile, Mah Man, 70, also expressed her gratitude to all the parties involved in the project. She said that she was delighted that the house was completed right before the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.
“After seeking help for a long time, now I can live at this home with my eight other family members namely my children and grandchildren.
“Thanks for all the help. Now, I have a house to shelter my family from rain, heat and even storms. I am happy that we will celebrate Raya in our new house,” she said.
