Sunday February 4, 2007

800 have mixed feelings about moving

KOTA TINGGI: Some 800 odd residents of Kampung Tembioh are uncertain about relocating the village to higher ground.

Fisherman Munawar Santon, 80, said he is against the idea as the new place could affect his livelihood.

“I will not be able to fish anymore as I will be far from the riverbank and this will be a problem because I do not know what to do except fish.

“I am not that eager to move even though I have been hit by the worst flood in history,” he said.

Uncertainty: Hoo Ah Liang, 38, repairing his home in Kampung Temerloh after the recent floods. Hoo said he was happy to hear that the village will be relocated but he needed to discuss the matter with his family.

Rosnan Ahmad, 45, said that it was about time the villagers were moved.

Grandmother Lapaki Bandu, 62, echoed similar sentiments, as she was frustrated about losing her belongings and having her house submerged and destroyed by the floods.

Hoo Ah Liang, 38, said he was surprised but happy that the government was willing to help them find a new place.

The restaurant worker said that he was not willing to face the floods again.

Fatimah Ahmad, 55, was undecided as to whether relocating was a good idea.

“I don’t know, I think it is a good plan. I will discuss it with my husband make my decision,” she said adding that she too had lost everything in the floods.

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