Wanted: Mattresses, blankets and baby items

Almost 2,000 people had to be evacuated following the offensive operation by the security forces to flush out the remaining intruders.

KUALA LUMPUR: The people of Lahad Datu who are forced to be evacuated to three temporary settlements following the intrusion by armed militants from the southern Philippines are in need of mattresses, pillows and blankets.

1Malaysia Putera Club (KP1M) president Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim said the club members were at the evacuation centres, namely Embara Budi, Fajar Harapan and Cenderawasih, since Thursday and found that most of them were sleeping on the floor.

“Most of them left their homes with only the clothes on their backs.

“Besides clothing, mattresses, pillows and blankets are also needed because they also do not know when they are able to return to their houses,” he said when contacted through the live telecast of the “Malaysia Hari Ini (MHI)” programme on TV3 today.

He said there was also a need for baby items, like cradle, as they were about 500 babies and children at the evacuation centres.

Abdul Azeez seek assistance of non-governmental organisations to contribute for the people affected by the intrusion.

However, he said, those who wanted to contribute and enter the evacuation centres to get the assistance of the relevant authorities to do so to avoid any untoward incidence.

Since the intrusion by the Sulu terrorists in Lahad Datu last Feb 12, eight policemen and 53 of the intruders were killed, while almost 2,000 people had to be evacuated following the offensive operation by the security forces to flush out the remaining intruders.