Masai Orang Asli community hopeful about rebuilding their lives in run-up to Hari Raya
THIS year’s Ramadan and Syawal will be subdued for dozens of Orang Asli Seletar families in Johor after a fire razed their homes.
The inferno on Feb 12 at Kampung Orang Asli Teluk Jawa, a village built mostly over water in Masai, destroyed about 30 homes. Fortunately, there were no casualties.
Fisherwoman Norsidah Jumait, 32, said, “I was planning for a happy Raya (Aidilfitri) celebration but the fire happened.
“My family and I feel sad but we will just prepare in a simple way,” she told StarMetro.
She said spending the fasting month at the Dewan Muafakat Megah Ria temporary relief centre (PPS) in Johor Baru was lively “because we are all gathered together”.
“We just hope we can get a new settlement soon and that it will be comfortable.”
Recounting the incident, Norsidah said she was about to leave the house in the morning to sell mussels when her sister shouted that a fire had broken out.
“My husband tried to put out the fire but it spread quickly.
“I rushed to save my children by getting them onto a boat.
“I managed to save my identity card but my children’s birth certificates and my marriage certificate were destroyed.
“Almost everything in our house is gone, including the washing machine, refrigerator and stove.
“We estimate our losses at nearly RM20,000,” said the mother of five.
Another fisherwoman Rosnah Kuwit, 25, said she and her family barely had time to escape the blaze that occurred around 6.30am.
“My husband and I had just woken up to get the children ready for school when our neighbour started shouting about a big fire.
“We only managed to save ourselves and the children.
“We did not have time to save our identity cards and other documents,” said the mother of four.
“Some residents even jumped into the sea to escape the fire because it spread so rapidly.”
However, Rosnah said the most important thing was that her family survived, adding that spending Ramadan at the PPS would be a new experience.
Ramlah Bala, 53, said the fire left her in shock.
“I did not have time to save my belongings.
“My two children are safe but my jewellery, boat, motorcycle, home appliances and documents are all destroyed.
“The losses are more than RM30,000,” Ramlah estimated.
“If we are given a new settlement before Aidilfitri, that would be a blessing,” she said.
“For now, we are still worried, thinking about our losses.”
Despite the tragedy, the community is hopeful Ramadan will bring renewed strength to rebuild their lives.
A total of 40 families comprising 143 people are sheltering at the PPS.
