SATURDAY, 05 OCTOBER – The Media Division, Chancellery Department Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) would like to thank all staff and students of UMS for their contributions in the form of cash and kind to the fire victims of Kg. Numbak. The contributions were handed over by the Vice-Chancellor of UMS yesterday.

According to a statement from the division, the contributions had helped ease the burden of the victims.

About two tons of daily needs were received including prayer mats, prayer garments, clothing, pillows, mineral water and baby diapers which were then distributed to the fire victims.

Initiator of the mission, UMS Media Division said that the fire victims needed baby milk as well as cooking utensils for them to be able to prepare food whenever needed.

Contributions can be sent to this department located at the main lobby of the Chancellery Building. Further enquiries can be obtained by calling extension 1026/1483/1315 during office hours. - FL

 

By Faezah Mohamad Dun

Photo: Ernest Berinus

 

FRIDAY, 04 OCTOBER – The hardships suffered by Kg. Numbak fire victims were somewhat relieved when they received contributions from staff and students of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS).

The contributions were handed over to the Community Head by the Vice-Chancellor of UMS, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd. Harun Abdullah at the Menggatal Community Hall, the temporary shelter for the victims.

Speaking when met by the media, he said UMS was concerned with the plight of the victims and started with mobilising contributions among their students and staff initiated by the Media Division, Chancellery Division the past two days.

He said, contributions in the form of foodstuff, clothing, prayer mats and baby needs were part of the contributions collected from staff and students of this EcoCampus university.

“We at UMS not only focuses totally on academic but we also do our bit to help the unfortunate and underpriviledged through our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme,” he said.

Meanwhile, one of the fire victims, Habil Nasiril, 40, expressed his thanks and gratitude to UMS for being concerned with their plight that had affected all 74 families of the village.

Habil, who is also the Community Head said the humanitarian aid was much needed in times like this as the victims were left homeless.

“We appreciate and welcome government agencies and NGOs alike to come forward to help us,” he added. – FL

 
By Mohd Affzanizam Mohd Amin
Photo: Ernest Berinus

 
                                                                                                                Chancellery Department

 

FRIDAY, 04 OCTOBER – Like the saying that goes, ‘It never rains, it pours’, the same can be said about this 64 year old grandmother of 20 grandchildren who was one of the 600 fire victims of Kg. Numbak.

“Earlier this year, my house at Kg. Sabang was razed by fire. We then moved to stay with my son. Unfortunately, his house is also burnt down,” she explained.

The grandmother was expressing her sadnes when met by reporters from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Media who were covering the humanitarian aid mission of this EcoCampus university at Menggatal Community Hall.

“I was asleep when the fire broke out at around 1.00 pm. I heard shouts from outside, I then got up and gathered all my grandchildren,” she said.

She was able to grab their personal documents amidst all the frantic before jumping off into the sea with her grandchildren.

When asked about the aid being distributed, she thanked UMS and all parties concerned that came to offer their assistance and contributions to ease the burden of the 74 affected families.

UMS delegation headed by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd. Harun Abdullah handed over daily needs as well as clothing and foodstuff including cash contributed by students and staff of UMS.

Also in the delegation were the Head of Chancellery Department, No’man Hj. Ahmad; Head of Student Affairs and Alumni Department, Mohd. Raffie Hj. Janau and staff and students of UMS. – FL

 

By Faezah Mohamad Dun

FRIDAY, 04 OCTOBER – Community Head Habil bin Nasiril, 40 thanked all those who had contributed to the welfare and needs of the recent Kg, Numbak fire victims. The fire which engulfed the whole village had left a total of 600 people from 74 families homeless.

According to Habil, to date the fire department has yet to confirm the cause of fire that had razed all 57 houses to the ground. At present, all fire victims have been given temporary shelter at the Menggatal Community Hall.

Habil’s younger brother Muhamad bin Nasiril, 38, perished in the fire and was the only casualty recorded. When asked about the tragedy, Habil said that Muhamad who was a bachelor was inside his bedroom sleeping when the fire broke out.

“We couldn’t save him as his bedroom door was locked and everything went very fast,” Habil added.

UMS handed contributions in terms of cash and kind for the fire victims to Habil where he brought the entourage to meet with the victims.

“We thank all for the contributions but we still need contributions from all parties,” he said when met by Chancellery Media, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) today.

Habil hoped that more concerned parties would come forward to help the victims.

The Kg. Numbak Humanitarian Aid was an initiative by the Media Division of UMS.


By Feria Lee

                                                                                                                                                                   Chancellery Department