Fire in East Msia – Logging Companies Donate US$300

Five hundred Penan folk, whose homes were destroyed in a fire, are still awaiting help from the State Welfare Department. Their homes, situated in a remote part of Belaga district, could only be reached via logging tracks. Hulu Rajang member of Parliament, Billy Abit Joo, was reported to have “slammed” two giant logging companies operating in Belaga for donating  RM900 (about US280) to the Penans.

According to reports, a national tabloid reported recently his disappointment, saying that there was nothing much the victims could do with a such a small amount. He was quoted as saying:

At the very least, these timber companies should provide the material for the Penan fire victims to rebuild their homes.

The victims are said to have had important documents, such as MyKad and birth certificates, destroyed in the fire.