Sarawak govt looks into moving flood relief centres from schools

Discussions on alternative sites will be held in light of schools reopening for the new school year on Jan 12.

More than 2,800 people have sought shelter at 39 flood relief centres in Sarawak. The affected areas are Bau, Kuching, Kota Samarahan, Simunjan, Gedong, Serian, Sibu, Mukah and Bintulu. (JBPM pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 Flood relief centres in Sarawak may be moved from schools to alternative sites such as longhouses, deputy premier Douglas Uggah Embas said.

Uggah said discussions will be held between the state disaster management committee and the Sarawak education department as some schools host relief centres, Borneo Post reported.

Schools reopen on Jan 12 for the new school year.

There are currently a total of 42 relief centres active in Sarawak, sheltering 3,031 victims from 876 households.

Among the schools whose facilities are currently being used as relief centres are the Tanah Merah, St Peter Simpok, Chung Hua Batu 29 and Tebekang primary schools.

Uggah said 17 landslides have been recorded in Serian town with the public works department fully mobilised to look into the damage.

Complaints were also received about damaged and severed roads and bridges in the Baram and Kakus areas, he said. Officials had been told to look into immediate repairs, he said. - FMT