BENTONG: Kampung Baru Cina Karak villagers, in the aftermath of the horrific fire that razed 62 buildings on Oct 1, are focused on rebuilding their homes again on the same site.
Some three days after the incident, the victims, mostly senior citizens, regrouped to set up an action committee responsible to build the homes, known as Pertubuhan Kebajikan Mangsa Mangsa Kebakaran Karak.
Its chairman Wa Soon Ki said the villagers who have been staying there for several generations have begun initiatives to work towards restoring the destroyed buildings so the neighbourhood can remain united.
"To coordinate the rebuilding efforts, we set up an organisation and elected committee members. The committee will assist with the planning and identify a suitable contractor for the rebuilding works.
"We are planning to build two-bedrooms units along with a bathroom and living area with an estimated cost of RM60,000 each. Those who can afford, can later choose to renovate the units ... the aim now is to rebuild the units as soon as possible to reunite all the victims just like the good old days," he said when contacted.
The father-of-three said since the owners have individual ownership (land) grants, the state government and local council have assured that they will assist the villagers.
"This is quite a relief. Datuk Abdul Rahim Muda (Pahang Housing and Local Government Committee chairman) who visited us on Oct 2 has promised to look into the matter (assist villagers).
"The committee hopes to start building and complete the 51 units as soon as possible. Currently, some are staying with their relatives while some are renting empty units in the same settlement (original owners moved to live elsewhere)," he said, adding the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) were assisting with the rebuilding efforts.
Meanwhile, Ki said former Bentong member of parliaments Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and Tan Sri Lim Ah Lek along with Bentong-born former transport minister Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy have also visited the victims and pledged their support.
"They visited the site and have agreed to go all out to assist us. Besides political parties and non-governmental organisations, the victims are grateful to Malaysians who have contributed to shoulder our burden.
"We are setting up a fundraising account to rebuild the homes so all donations will go into one single account and to avoid irresponsible people from taking advantage of the situation," he said.
Fifty-one houses and 11 shops were destroyed in the 9.15pm fire on Oct 1 which lasted for more than four hours and left 162 people homeless. No injuries or deaths were reported.