A total of 370 residents in five villages blighted by the intrusion by terrorists from Sulu received a compassionate aid of RM1,000 from the federal government today.

The contributions were given to family heads by Tungku state assemblyperson Mohd Suhaili Said, near Lahad Datu. The villages were Kampung Sungai Bilis, Kampung Sungai Merah, Kampung Lok Sambuang, Kampung Tanjung Batu and Kampung Tanjung Labian

In his speech, Mohd Suhaili said the contributions could not cover all the losses of the residents, but would help alleviate their difficulties.

The compassionate aid was part of three types of aid announced by Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on March 12 for affected residents.

A total of RM50,000 would also be spent to rebuild each destroyed home, repair damaged houses and reschedule loan payments to Mara, National Entrepreneur Group Economic Fund (Tekun Nasional) and the Endeavour Trust of Malaysia (Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia), he said.    

On Kampung Tanduo which was closed as a residential area, Mohd Suhaili said all residents would be temporarily moved to the Masej Nala Housing Project, about 60km from the village. The site of Kampung Tanduo would be surrendered for the development of the East Sabah Security Area (Esscom).

“Residents who own land do not have to worry. We know the housing project is not on par with what they had previously. However, it is only a temporary measure. The government will prepare a new settlement with land available for them after this,” he said.

Yesterday, Sabah police commissioner Hamza Taib announced that Kampung Tanduo which became the stronghold of the terrorist group, was closed as it was badly affected by the intrusion.

Mohd Suhaili, who is also Sabah Islamic Religious Council chairperson, said, a study would be conducted to determine a new settlement for residents of the village.

Meanwhile, Lahad Datu District officer Zulkifli Nasir, who was also present, said the government was considering moving residents of Kampung Tanjung Batu and Tanjung Labian to a new settlement to be decided as soon as possible.

- Bernama

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