MCA will set up a trust fund using the remaining RM2.5 million from the its JE humanitarian fund to assist those affected by the Nipah outbreak, according to a party stalwart.

According to Lim Si Cheng, who is coordinating the fund, the party plans to use the trust fund to conduct new skills training and vocational courses for those affected by the Nipah virus outbreak.

"The fund will benefit those who are prepared to change their jobs (from pig-farming activities)," he said.

A report published by the National Chinese Guilds and Association JE Victim Relief Committee said that the outbreak has directly affected not only the livelihood of pig-farmers but other workers in the downstream industries as well ("[#1] Inquiry called to probe Nipah outbreak [/#]", June 22).

There are 8,500 workers directly involved in pig-breeding activities nationwide, with 9,400 engaged in supporting industries and 300,000 workers in related industries.

Lim told malaysiakini today that MCA had given out about RM12.5 million to 4,426 people affected by the Nipah virus outbreak last year.

"We collected about RM15 million from donors to the MCA JE humanitarian fund," he said.

Lim, who is also deputy speaker of Dewan Rakyat, also said that those who received the fund were the pig-farmers and the villagers who were forced to leave their homes during the height of the Nipah outbreak last year.

The outbreak crippled the largest pig-farming area in Malaysia which was located in Bukit Pelandok, Sungai Nipah and Kampung Sawah in Negri Sembilan.

In Bukit Pelandok, there were about 600 households of pig-breeders, 200 workers and 200 -300 drivers for transporting pigs.