Register with MBKS for SDMC assistance, storm-hit Kuching South residents urged

KUCHING (Aug 29): Residents whose homes were damaged by the recent storm in Kuching South have been advised to register their details with the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) to enable them to apply for assistance from the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC).

Kuching South Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng said the SDMC had been briefed on the damage and difficulties faced by affected residents.

Following the briefing, the SDMC requested MBKS to register the affected residents and forward their details to the committee for further consideration and assistance, he said.

“The strong winds a few days ago caused damage to the roofs of several houses in Kuching South.

“After assessing the situation on the ground, we immediately brought the matter to the attention of SDMC so that assistance could be provided to the affected families,” he said during his Facebook live session ‘Shall WEE Talk’.

Wee said he, together with several MBKS councillors, had visited most of the affected locations to assess the extent of the damage and would assist residents with the registration process.

Affected residents are required to fill out a form and submit it to MBKS for compilation before it is forwarded to the SDMC for consideration.

He said MBKS councillors and community leaders would assist residents in collecting the necessary information, including their full name, MyKad number, address, contact number and photographs showing the damaged roof.

He urged those affected to register as soon as possible, adding that MBKS would facilitate the process and assist residents in submitting the necessary information to the SDMC.

Wee also said MBKS had cleared affected sites following the storm, with council personnel deployed to carry out the necessary clean-up work.

“We have been doing our job for the past week. We’ve engaged our own staff to do clearing. While we are doing all the best we can, we also give assistance to Bomba,” he said.

Those affected may contact MBKS councillors Eric Tay at 019-8899186, Chai Ju Loon at 012-8996868, Albert Tay at 019-8291211 or Judy Kho at 016-8591592.

Applications can also be submitted to MBKS via email at [email protected] or WhatsApp at 011-19885962.

“MBKS will continue to monitor the situation in Kuching South and work closely with SDMC to facilitate assistance for households affected by the strong winds,” he said.

Meanwhile, a netizen praised MBKS for engaging tree experts, or arborists, from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) to oversee tree conditions around the city amid the recent extreme weather.

Responding to the comment, Wee dismissed suggestions that the council’s efforts were motivated by the coming election.

“Some thought that we were putting up a show. Well, election or no election, I’ve been doing my job. I don’t work just because the election is around the corner,” he said.

Wee also criticised what he described as the practice of some politicians merely making a brief appearance at affected sites and posting photographs on social media.

He said MBKS, in contrast, had taken steps beyond site visits, including contacting welfare authorities to assist victims, helping them seek assistance, liaising with Syarikat Sesco Berhad (Sesco) over power supply issues and arranging accommodation where necessary.

“As the mayor, I call the welfare office to help victims, help them request for assistance, contact Sesco about power supply issues, and arrange accommodation for them. Our appreciation goes to Bomba and the Civil Defence Force (APM) for their hard work,” he said.

Wee added that MBKS had carried out substantial work without necessarily publicising every effort or achievement.

“We have done a lot but we don’t publicise all our works and achievements,” he said.

He said the council’s work was carried out sincerely for the benefit of residents and urged the public to recognise the efforts of those who were genuinely serving the community.

“Do not criticise simply for the sake of criticising, particularly those who have served with sincerity,” he said.