Kuching: Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas announced that the safety of residences in hillside areas will be a key topic of discussion at the upcoming state Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) meeting. Uggah, who also chairs the committee, emphasized the urgent need to address this issue and will present it to Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to explore a long-term solution.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Uggah highlighted the necessity of assessing the conditions of houses situated in hillside areas. He expressed hope that the Ministry of Housing and Local Government would also engage in addressing this concern. Residents currently living in these areas are being advised to relocate immediately if their homes are found to be unsafe. This announcement followed Uggah’s visit to the temporary evacuation center (PPS) at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina Chung Hua Batu Kawa.

Simultaneously, Sarawak Minister of Women, Children, and Community Wellbeing, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, confirmed that the families affected by the tragic landslide in Kampung Lereng Bukit, Miri, would receive both financial compensation and emotional support. The Sarawak government has pledged RM10,000 in compensation to the next of kin of each individual who lost their life in the incident.

Fatimah acknowledged the profound loss the families face and noted that counselors from the Welfare Department are being provided to offer emotional support. The landslide, which struck at 2.58 am on Wednesday in Kampung Lereng Bukit, resulted in the deaths of one male and four female victims, aged between eight and 71. The victims were identified as Sazarena Arabi, 41; Fatimah Dawi, 71; Irsyad Syairah, 16; Nur Raisyah Syahirah, 8; and Nur Rania Syafiqah, 11. They belonged to two neighboring families residing on the same plot of land in the village. Meanwhile, seven other victims, consisting of two men and five women aged 17 to 71, survived the incident.