10,000 Orang Asli in Gua Musang cut off by landslides, floods

10,000 Orang Asli in Gua Musang cut off by landslides, floods

Authorities say some people were moved to relief centres while others took shelter on high ground.

Two relief centres were opened in Kuala Betis to accommodate villagers who were affected by the landslides and floods. (Bernama pic)
GUA MUSANG:
Approximately 10,000 Temiar Orang Asli living in seven villages here are cut off from civilisation after the Kuala Betis-Gua Musang road was hit by multiple disasters – including landslides, a collapsed bridge and floods – due to a continuous downpour that started on Friday.

Galas assemblyman Syahbuddin Hashim said Pos Tohoi, Pos Bihai, Pos Belatim, Pos Balar, Pos Gob, Pos Simpor, and Kuala Betis were all affected.

“Two temporary relief centres (PPS) were opened in Kuala Betis on Sunday to accommodate about 100 members from the Temiar tribe,” he told reporters here.

Syahbuddin said residents still cut off had yesterday started receiving food from the social welfare department with the assistance of the Civil Defence Force (APM), which had to wait for water levels to recede.

“We and the authorities are monitoring the situation from time to time,” he said.

Meanwhile, Orang Asli resident from Kampung Jenot, Roma Manan, 37, said that, besides moving to a nearby relief centre, residents also sought refuge on a hill in Kampung Lambok, Kuala Betis.

“The Orang Asli living near Sungai Betis made early preparations to build shelters on the hill. The rain did not stop yesterday, so they all started moving there,” he said.

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