Reconstruction of burnt houses to be expanded nationwide

The Fire and Rescue Department will expand its Reconstruction of Burnt Houses programme nationwide since its introduction last year, said its director Datuk Wan Mohd Nor Ibrahim.

He said the execution of the programme under the National Blue Ocean Strategy, however, depended on the allocation from various parties, including public and private sector companies.

"Five houses have been rebuilt in Kedah, Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Terengganu and in the second phase, we will cover Melaka, Johor, Sabah and Sarawak.

"Each house burnt more than 80 percent in every state will be reconstructed, based on available funds," he told reporters after launching the programme in Bukit Rambai, here today.

He said, the first five houses had cost between RM35,000 and RM45,000 per unit, using existing funds.

Wan Mohd Nor said, the programme was part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) and carried out in collaboration with various parties, aimed at helping underprivileged victims of fire to own a home again.

Among the agencies involved were the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), Social Welfare Department and Ministry of Rural and Regional Development.

Meanwhile, labourer Gilbert Tenssensoen, 53, a recipient under the programme admitted to being deeply touched and grateful with the initiative undertaken by the department.

"I felt like it was a dream and it was the happiest news for me and my wife, Mary Chua Mee Lee, 55, when we were told that our house would be rebuilt a week after the fire," he said when met in Kampung Paya Salak, here today.

The couple had occupied the old house for the last 28 years.