Hutan melintang: The Perak Social Welfare Department (JKM) and the village chief’s office have conducted an immediate census to provide aid to the victims of the Hutan Melintang fire. District Disaster Management Committee chairman Nazrul Fazami Mohamad stated that relevant departments and agencies have been mobilised to conduct a quick census of the affected victims.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, JKM and the village chief’s office have begun the census to complete the documentation procedures in a timely manner. All victims have been requested to lodge police reports to enable state-level disaster aid to be channelled through the Bagan Datuk District and Land Office. Nazrul Fazami Mohamad made these remarks while visiting the victims and the incident site.

In the incident that occurred at 4.30 am, 23 properties in Bagan Pasir Laut were razed. The affected properties included 19 Class B and C houses, a non-Muslim house of worship, two eateries, and a sundry shop. Each house was approximately 92.9 square metres in size. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.

Nazrul Fazami noted that no relief centre (PPS) has been opened, as all victims are reportedly staying with relatives nearby. A meeting with representatives of the residents revealed that all victims currently have temporary shelter, so there is no need to open a PPS at present. However, further discussions will be held to assess the need to open a PPS should the situation change.

Meanwhile, the Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) assistant director of operations, Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad, mentioned that it is still too early to determine the cause of the fire. JBPM’s forensic team is investigating to determine the actual cause of the incident. Initial information from witnesses suggests that the fire may have originated in one of the houses at the back row of the affected premises, narrowing the scope of the investigation to focus on that house.