Kampung Kijang fire: Kelantan launches donation drive to build new homes for victims
State executive councillor for Public Works, Infrastructure, Water, and Rural Development Datuk Dr Izani Husin said the donation drive currently has reached nearly RM100,000.
"All the fire victims come from low-income groups, and their house lots were rented.
"The fund was launched following a discussion with the Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud.
"We are (also) working on securing eight units of 'Rumah Dhuafa' (homes for the needy) in Kampung Badang, built by the state," he told reporters after launching the donation drive in Kampung Kijang.
Izani said the state government wasconsidering building 'Rumah Dhuafa' units, each valued at RM45,000, and expected to be completed by August.
"We have set one month to collect the funds and hope the amount raised will be sufficient to cover construction costs."
However, the construction of the houses will depend on two factors, namely, the total amount collected and the contractors' willingness to offer flexible payment terms, he said.
He said the state government is working to provide temporary rental housing for the eight affected families for three months, with costs covered by the state.
On April 28, eight houses in Kampung Kijang were destroyed in a 4.40am fire, affecting 31 victims.
One of the victims, Mat Husin Sulaiman, 64, a fisherman, hopes the construction of new homes could be expedited as they were currently staying with neighbours and relatives.
"We hope to have a more comfortable shelter.
"During the incident, I only escaped with clothes on my back after realising the flames were spreading into the house quickly," the father of eight said.
Single mother of six Yah Che Ngah, 60, said she is now living with a neighbour and is saddened by the loss of her 40-year-old house.
"I hope we'll have a more comfortable place to stay.
"I'm looking for a rental home for now but hope we'll eventually have a permanent one," she said.
– Bernama
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