SIBU: Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) is calling on the Sarawak Rural Disaster Relief Committee to initiate an emergency special disaster relief fund to assist farmers impacted by the ongoing floods.
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Its treasurer Jamie Tiew said on Tuesday (Sept 15) that the party hoped the government would listen to the Sibu Central Planters Association’s request for government assistance.
The farmers in the central region suffered particularly heavy losses due to the floods which hit the region for the second time this month, causing their vegetable gardens, orchards and livestock farms to be under two feet of water, she said.
“At the same time, it is hoped that officials from all relevant government units and departments will immediately start patrolling to find out the severity and scope of the floods, so as to facilitate the planning of preventive measures and implement the right solutions,” said Tiew.
“Many schools in low-lying locations were also deeply damaged by the flood, but students were still required to go to school. Many roads are impassable,” she said.
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She said that PBK hoped that the government would be sympathetic to the people and launch an emergency special disaster relief fund to aid the farmers and those affected by the floods.
Meanwhile, Sibu Education Department head officer Ahli Chiba said 28 primary schools in and around the town had been closed because of the floods.
The water level in low-lying areas was up to 3.1m high as at 6.08am.
A number of roads were also inundated under a few feet of water.