SIBU – Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Dudong chairman Wong Ching Yong called on the Sarawak government to allocate a special emergency fund of RM10 million to help residents affected by the thunderstorm, here yesterday.
He said although there were no clear figures, it was imaginable that the storm had caused significant losses to the people of Sibu who are now worried about the cost of repairing their homes after the storm.
The storm brought over ferocious wind, possibly the strongest and most destructive in Sibu since the last century.
“Not only were large trees uprooted, blocking traffic and causing power outages. Many residential houses, shops, schools and so on were also severely damaged by strong winds while roofs were blown away, causing residents to endure the wind and rain all night long,” he said in a statement today.
Wong who is also Sibu Rural District Council deputy chairman also called on the five state assembly members and two MPs from Sibu to put aside their political differences and work together to help the affected households in various areas of Sibu during this difficult time.
The seven elected representatives could immediately form a joint team and include representatives from the Sibu Municipal Council and Sibu Rural District Council.
“I believe many of those affected are anxious and helpless, so I hope the Sarawak government can quickly act while the state and federal representatives can respond positively to my above suggestions,” he said.
The thunderstorm occurred at about 6pm yesterday as the Muslim community were preparing themselves to break their fast and the Christian community was on their way to church and attend a special mass in conjunction with the Holy Week prior to Good Friday and Easter Sunday this week. – Bernama, April 6, 2023
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