Press Statement By Abdul Aziz:
I was informed by the Ketua Kampung (Village Headman) of Kpg Sudat, Joseph anak Rohai, that he had written an official letter to the Fire and Rescue Department requesting the said department to install a fire hydrant along Jalan Kampung Sudat. As the Ketua Kampung of Kpg Sudat, Joseph has done his part to do what is necessary within his capacity. Therefore, the government has the duty of care to install a fire hydrant at Kpg Sudat.
KK Joseph has submitted the official letter to the Fire and Rescue Department since last year. Unfortunately, the reply he received was that the said department is out of budget to install the fire hydrant. Padawan Municipal Council Chairman Lo Khere Chiang was standing next to me when KK Joseph disclosed the issues. From the face of the facts, both KK Joseph and the Fire and Rescue Department should not be blamed for the delayed instalment of the fire hydrant.
The blame should be put on the government of the day. This is because the government of the day controls all the resources. It is absurd if the government said that they don’t have enough budget to install just one fire hydrant in one village which is located only less than five miles from the city centre. It is safe to say that the government’s failure to install a fire hydrant to Kpg Sudat is tantamount to a breach of duty.
If the government had allocated a sufficient amount of fund for the Fire and Rescue Department to install a fire hydrant at Kpg Sudat, at least the loss suffered by the fire victims family can be reduced below 80 percent. You don’t need to become a rocket scientist to understand this very simple logic. When I went there yesterday, I received complaints from the villagers that they were so frustrated with the government of the day. If the government of the day failed to provide such basic necessities for the village, then the government should not talk so much about
having mega projects.
When the Fire and Rescue Department received the call at 3:12 pm and arrived at the scene at 3:22 pm, the Bomba personnel had some difficulties in searching for a fire hydrant. They had to run for more than 300 metres to connect the layflat fire hose to a fire hydrant located at the nearest Shell Petrol Station. Had the fire hydrant been installed, such incident can be overcome. Because of the breach of the duty of care on part of the government, the house owner suffered a huge loss when the blaze took over 80 percent of the house. Now that the house owner had suffered damages, the government should at least take some initiative to rebuild the house.Failure to act accordingly just shows that the government is taking the people’s well-being for granted.
On a later note, this morning, YB Chong Chieng Jen (Stampin Member of Parliament cum Kota Sentosa State Assemblyman) was present to hand over the financial contribution to Jonie anak Sait whose house was burned down yesterday at Kpg Sudat.
At the same time, DAP Stampin Service Centre and DAP Batu Kitang Branch handed over food aid for the family. The food aid were donated by a group of good Samaritans. It may not be much but we hope that this little gesture will help to ease the burden of the family. On behalf of DAP Stampin Service Centre and DAP Batu Kitang Branch, we would like to thank the donors for their generosity.
YB Chong Chieng Jen hand over financian assistance to Jonie anak Sait. Abdul Aziz Isa
At the scene, YB Chong Chieng Jen was greeted by the officers of the Welfare Department and police personnel. He thanked the Welfare Department officers and the police personnel for assisting the family.
On behalf of the villagers, I will submit an official letter to the Fire and Rescue Department (Operational Division) as well as the Housing and Local Government Ministry to install a fire hydrant at Kpg Sudat.
26-01-2021
Abdul Aziz Isa
Special Assistant to YB Chong Chieng Jen
DAP Batu Kitang Chairman
DAPSY Stampin Chief
