Latest news with #BWI
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Miri MP urges comprehensive action six months after floods, landslide
Chiew (right) looks at the damages caused by a landslide during a visit to Hilltop Garden recently. MIRI (June 19): Nearly six months after severe floods and a deadly landslide struck Miri, MP Chiew Choon Man is calling for sustained recovery efforts and long-term mitigation planning to protect the city from future disasters. In a statement today, Chiew stressed that post-disaster work must continue beyond initial aid, highlighting the need for consistent follow-up nearly half a year after heavy rains triggered widespread flooding across Miri and surrounding divisions. The same weather event also caused a deadly landslide at the foot of Canada Hill in Kampung Lereng Bukit, claiming lives and destroying homes. 'This tragedy has tested the resilience of our community. It must serve as a powerful lesson for all of us in building a safer, more prepared Miri,' he said. Chiew thanked government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and the thousands of volunteers who responded during the emergency. He also acknowledged the federal and Sarawak governments for their early support, including the RM1,000 Bantuan Wang Ihsan (BWI) cash aid and initial allocations for repairs and recovery. However, he cautioned that meaningful recovery cannot end with first-response measures. 'It is our collective responsibility to ensure follow-up actions continue and are not just reactive measures when issues go viral,' Chiew said. Chiew urged authorities to ensure that BWI payments are completed fairly and promptly, regardless of whether victims stayed in official Temporary Relief Centres (PPS) or elsewhere. 'No one should be left behind in the recovery process.' He also called for the repair and restoration of flood-damaged homes and infrastructure to be expedited. He emphasised the need for these efforts to follow a clear implementation schedule, with consistent oversight to ensure timely completion. On mitigation, Chiew pressed for the urgent finalisation of a slope safety study for Canada Hill, especially in the affected Kampung Lereng Bukit area, and the immediate implementation of a long-term landslide prevention plan to safeguard surrounding communities. Equally pressing, he said, is the need to accelerate Miri's flood mitigation strategy. This includes drainage upgrades, construction of retention ponds, riverbank reinforcements, and sustainable urban development to reduce the city's exposure to future weather-related disasters. To push for concrete progress, Chiew said he will convene meetings with relevant agencies to obtain updates and intends to raise the matter in Parliament, including requesting additional allocations if current funds fall short. 'Recovery is not just about rebuilding; it's about preventing future disasters. Let this serve as a turning point for Miri to become a safer, more resilient, and inclusive city,' he said. Chiew Choon Man flood landslide miri mitigation planning mp
The Star
2 days ago
- General
- The Star
Govt to rebuild homes for Petagas and Bukit Vor fire victims
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government will rebuild around 10 homes destroyed in recent fires at Kampung Petagas and Bukit Vor under the Rumah Mesra Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) initiative. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor visited the affected families at the temporary relief centre at Sri Putatan Hall on Wednesday (June 18). He said the state is committed to helping the victims recover and rebuild their lives. 'We understand the hardship these families are facing, having lost everything to the fires. The state government will help rebuild their houses so they can start anew,' he said. The fires, which occurred on June 16 and 17, left 74 people from 28 families homeless, including 20 families (46 individuals) in Kampung Petagas, and eight families (28 individuals) in Bukit Vor. Hajiji added that to ease the burden of the victims, each head of household has received various forms of assistance, including RM1,000 in Bantuan Wang Ihsan (BWI), RM1,000 from the Sabah Welfare Foundation (YKS), and RM1,000 from the Sabah Zakat Centre under the Islamic Religious Council (MUIS). Fire victims also received food baskets and RM300 from Perbadanan Baitulmal Negeri Sabah. 'For houses that were completely destroyed, the government will rebuild them on the existing sites through Rumah Mesra SMJ. 'For partially damaged houses, the government will assist with cash aid between RM5,000 and RM10,000, depending on the extent of damage,' he said. Hajiji stated that the state government remains deeply concerned about the people's welfare and will continue to ensure that no one is left behind during difficult times. 'As a caring government, we are committed to looking after the welfare of the people, especially during times of hardship,' he said. Also present at the event were Deputy Chief Minister and State Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, and State Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong. Petagas assemblyman Datuk Awang Ahmad Sah Awang Sahari, Secretary for Home Affairs and Research Datuk Awang Shahminan Sahari, and Putatan district officer Masawi Salleh were also present.
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Hajiji: Decision to dissolve Sabah Assembly lies with me
Chief Minister Hajiji visits one of the families affected by the recent fire. PUTATAN (June 18): Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor has reminded all parties that the decision to dissolve the current Sabah government rests solely with him. 'That matter, I will think about it. Others do not need to overthink. As the Chief Minister, I will decide. But what is certain is that we will have the general election — whether sooner or later, it must take place,' he said. Hajiji who is also president of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), urged the public to be patient, assuring that the time will come when the mandate will be returned to the people to choose their next government. 'Just wait,' he said when asked about the potential dissolution of the Sabah State Assembly, following his visit to fire victims at Dewan Sri Putatan on Wednesday. Hajiji also confirmed that preliminary discussions had taken place between GRS and Pakatan Harapan (PH) regarding political cooperation, with a decision expected before any dissolution is announced. When asked about the role of Barisan Nasional (BN), Hajiji simply replied, 'Ask BN what they want.' Last month, Hajiji had expressed GRS's openness to cooperating with PH but noted the coalition might consider contesting alone if PH proceeds with its pact with BN. Meanwhile, the Sabah government has extended immediate assistance to victims of fires that broke out in Kampung Petagas and Bukit Vor on June 16 and 17 respectively, affecting 74 individuals from 28 families. Hajiji handed over aid to heads of households currently sheltered at the temporary evacuation centre at Dewan Sri Putatan. To alleviate their burden, each household head received several forms of assistance, including RM1,000 in compassionate aid (BWI), RM1,000 from the Sabah Welfare Foundation (YKS), RM1,000 from the Sabah Zakat Centre under the Sabah Islamic Religious Council (MUIS), food baskets and RM300 from the Sabah State Baitulmal Corporation. 'For household heads whose homes were completely destroyed, the State Government will construct Rumah Mesra SMJ on the existing sites. Those whose homes were partially damaged will receive financial assistance ranging from RM5,000 to RM10,000,' said Hajiji. He added that 10 houses would be rebuilt under the Rumah Mesra SMJ initiative. 'The State Government is deeply concerned and remains committed to safeguarding the welfare of the people, especially during times of hardship,' he said. In the two separate incidents, 20 household heads with 46 victims were affected in Kampung Petagas, while Bukit Vor saw eight household heads with 28 victims impacted by the fire. Also present at the event were Deputy Chief Minister III and Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya; Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Datuk Mohd Arif; State Secretary Datuk Seri Panglima Safar Untong; Petagas Assemblyman Datuk Awang Ahmad Sah Datuk Awang Sahari; Secretary of Home Affairs and Research Datuk Awang Shahminan Datuk Sahari; and Putatan District Officer Masawi Salleh.
Borneo Post
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Expedite flood aid distribution in Miri, MP urges Deputy Premier
Chiew shows the letter urging the expedited distribution of flood aid to victims in Miri. MIRI (June 12): Miri MP Chiew Choon Man has urged Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas to review and expedite the distribution of flood relief aid following growing complaints from victims in his constituency who have yet to receive the assistance. In a formal letter addressed to the Deputy Premier, Chiew highlighted the devastating impact of the early 2025 floods, which he described as among the worst in Sarawak's history. Thousands of residents in Miri suffered extensive property damage and income loss. He noted that while the federal government had allocated Bantuan Wang Ihsan (BWI) amounting to RM1,000 per family in March this year, many flood victims ― both those who took shelter at Temporary Evacuation Centres (PPS) and those who did not ― have reported not receiving the promised aid. 'My office has received numerous complaints and grievances that, to date, many victims in the Miri parliamentary area have not received the aid. They are in urgent need of financial support to restore their homes and basic needs,' Chiew wrote in his letter. To address the issue, the MP proposed several measures for the Deputy Premier's consideration: Chiew suggested implementing a phased disbursement model, similar to the approach adopted by the Johor government, which began issuing aid in stages shortly after the disaster. He also called for the establishment of a transparent appeal mechanism for victims who may have been overlooked or have yet to receive any feedback on their applications. Additionally, Chiew expressed his willingness to work with the Sarawak Government and other MPs from the state to request additional funding from the federal government, should the current allocation prove insufficient. The letter also included a copy of the official statement made during the Dewan Rakyat's Special Chamber earlier this year, where Chiew and several Sarawak MPs had raised the urgency of post-flood recovery efforts. 'I extend my appreciation for your continued commitment to assisting disaster victims,' Chiew added, urging immediate cooperation between state and federal authorities to ease the burden on affected residents. Chiew's appeal underscores growing public frustration over the pace of flood aid distribution in Sarawak and highlights broader concerns over disaster relief coordination between federal and state agencies. Chiew Choon Man douglas uggah embas flood aid miri
CBS News
07-06-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Sunday Brings Scattered Showers with T-Storms Possible
Looks like an unsettled Sunday. We got through with a relatively calm Saturday. Temperatures topped out in the mid-to-upper 80s (86° at BWI- Marshall @ 3:51pm).Spotty showers across the state stayed light, so hopefully your outdoor plans were only briefly impacted. A few thunderstorms could develop tonight as an upper level disturbance moves in. We'll have a period of dry and calmer conditions before the unsettled weekend continues. Sunday brings its own rain and storm chance, too. Scattered showers and storms are expected through much of the day. A few showers are possible in your neighborhood to start the day. Around midday, the First Alert Weather team will be monitoring the potential for stronger storms and/or heavier rain to move into Maryland. Sunday afternoon brings a risk for severe weather back to the state. The Storm Prediction Center has us in a level 1 and 2 (out of 5) risk for severe weather on Sunday. The higher chance for those stronger storms will be in Central and Southern Maryland and for our Lower Eastern Shore neighborhoods. Storms may produce damaging winds, small hail and we also cannot rule out some rotation. We may also see some heavier pockets of rain as storms move through. Rain may remain to start Monday before a brief drying out and another risk for showers and storms on Tuesday. The middle and late parts of the upcoming week look much quieter (and drier!). Temperatures also appear to rise back closer to 90° as we approach the middle of the month.
