Two relief centres opened after Kota Kinabalu fire tragedy leaves 200 victims homeless

KOTA KINABALU, Aug 30 — Two temporary relief centres have been established at Dewan Kampung Likas and Dewan Damai to accommodate over 200 people who lost their homes in a devastating fire in Kampung Lok Buta, Numbak early this morning. Speaker of the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud explained that the objective of these centres was to streamline the registration and coordination process for the victims, as well as to efficiently distribute the generous donations received.

The Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) declared the affected area a disaster zone in response to the incident. During a visit to the scene, Mustapha stressed the importance of identifying the students impacted by the disaster to prevent any disruption to their education. Present during the visit were DBKK mayor and District Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Seri Dr Sabin Samitah.

Mustapha, who also serves as the Sepanggar Member of Parliament, assured that he would communicate the situation to the Ministry of Education, ensuring that affected students from schools, higher education institutions, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges receive the necessary support. He also encouraged DBKK and relevant agencies to convene a meeting to deliberate on measures to aid those affected by the disaster.

Mustapha proposed the formation of a Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Implementation Action Council meeting, which would include the involvement of the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) and the Chief Minister (Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor). He suggested that the DBKK mayor could brief both leaders about the situation and the necessary steps required for the fire-affected area.

Mustapha pledged to extend initial assistance to the families of the three victims who perished in the incident at 1.40am today. Over 200 houses were destroyed, and three children, including two siblings, tragically lost their lives due to the fire in Kampung Lok Buta.