PUTRAJAYA: All registration and identity document replacement processes for victims of the Kampung Bahagia fire in Sandakan, Sabah will be examined on a case-by-case basis.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the victim registration process is currently being carried out by the Sabah government together with state and federal agencies, taking into account each individual case.
However, he said the ministry will not adopt a blanket approach, and will prioritise genuine Malaysian citizens who lost their documents in the fire.
“If such incidents occur resulting in the loss of documents, we will provide replacement documents.
“At the same time, we cannot simply issue documents to those who are not eligible,” he said at a press conference after witnessing a contract signing ceremony here on Tuesday (April 21).
Saifuddin Nasution added that the immediate priority is to provide temporary evacuation centres (PPS) for those affected.
In the incident last Sunday (April 19), a total of 9,007 residents were displaced after a major fire destroyed about 1,000 stilt houses in Kampung Bahagia.
Several PPS have been opened, including at the Batu Sapi People’s Housing Project (PPR) hall and SK Gas.
It is understood that about 70% of those affected are foreign nationals, while the rest are locals.
