New home brings relief to OKU couple in Kiulu
KIULU (July 18): A couple with disabilities from Kampung Tinompok Pukak can now live more independently after receiving a new home under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Housing Programme.
Hendary @ Hendary Felik Lapik, 51, who is non-verbal and wears a prosthetic leg, received the key to his new house from Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai in a small handover ceremony today.
Perched beside a paddy field, near the river and just off the roadside, Hendary's new home sits on family-owned land, offering both accessibility and a peaceful environment.
He lives with his wife, who also has a speech disability, and their two daughters, aged two and five.
Prior to receiving the house, Hendary and his family lived in a household shared with his extended family.
According to his brother, Bonnyface Bin Felik Lapik, who is also the Village Development and Security Committee chairman of Kampung Bolotikon, the home marks a new phase of independent living for the couple and their children.
'This gives them the space to live on their own, while still being close enough for family to visit and assist when needed.
'It will help them manage better as a family and give the children more room to grow,' he said, adding that the family helped facilitate the application for the SMJ house.
Hendary supports his household through various types of small-scale work in the village.
In a brief exchange during the handover, Hendary expressed his gratitude through gestures, thanking the assemblyman and government for the assistance.
He also invited several friends with similar disabilities to be present, wanting to share the moment with them.
Joniston said the SMJ housing programme is part of the state government's ongoing commitment to improve the living conditions of rural residents, especially those with low income and physical challenges.
'We want to make sure that people with different needs, including those with disabilities, are not left behind. A home like this can have a big impact on daily life.
'More SMJ houses will be built in Kiulu because there are still many less fortunate families who need proper housing,' said Joniston.
There are currently 120 SMJ houses built in the Kiulu constituency under the Sabah Maju Jaya development plan, continuing the state's commitment to community welfare and inclusive rural development.
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7 days ago
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New home brings relief to OKU couple in Kiulu
Joniston handing over SMJ house key to Hendary. Also in photo is Bonnyface (right). KIULU (July 18): A couple with disabilities from Kampung Tinompok Pukak can now live more independently after receiving a new home under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Housing Programme. Hendary @ Hendary Felik Lapik, 51, who is non-verbal and wears a prosthetic leg, received the key to his new house from Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai in a small handover ceremony today. Perched beside a paddy field, near the river and just off the roadside, Hendary's new home sits on family-owned land, offering both accessibility and a peaceful environment. He lives with his wife, who also has a speech disability, and their two daughters, aged two and five. Prior to receiving the house, Hendary and his family lived in a household shared with his extended family. According to his brother, Bonnyface Bin Felik Lapik, who is also the Village Development and Security Committee chairman of Kampung Bolotikon, the home marks a new phase of independent living for the couple and their children. 'This gives them the space to live on their own, while still being close enough for family to visit and assist when needed. 'It will help them manage better as a family and give the children more room to grow,' he said, adding that the family helped facilitate the application for the SMJ house. Hendary supports his household through various types of small-scale work in the village. In a brief exchange during the handover, Hendary expressed his gratitude through gestures, thanking the assemblyman and government for the assistance. He also invited several friends with similar disabilities to be present, wanting to share the moment with them. Joniston said the SMJ housing programme is part of the state government's ongoing commitment to improve the living conditions of rural residents, especially those with low income and physical challenges. 'We want to make sure that people with different needs, including those with disabilities, are not left behind. A home like this can have a big impact on daily life. 'More SMJ houses will be built in Kiulu because there are still many less fortunate families who need proper housing,' said Joniston. There are currently 120 SMJ houses built in the Kiulu constituency under the Sabah Maju Jaya development plan, continuing the state's commitment to community welfare and inclusive rural development.
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New house brings relief for disabled couple in Kiulu
KOTA KINABALU: A couple with disabilities from Kampung Tinompok Pukak in the foothills of Mount Kinabalu can now live more independently after receiving a new home under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Housing Programme. Hendary Felik Lapik, 51, who has a speech impairment and wears a prosthetic leg, received the key to his new house from Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai in a small handover ceremony, on Friday (July 18). Perched beside a paddy field, near the river and just off the roadside, Hendary's new home sits on family-owned land, offering both accessibility and a peaceful environment. He lives with his wife, who also has a speech disability, and their two daughters, aged two and five years old. Prior to receiving the house, Hendary and his family lived in a household shared with his extended family. According to his brother, Bonnyface Felik Lapik, who is also the Village Development and Security Committee chairman of Kampung Bolotikon, the home marks a new phase of independent living for the couple and their children. 'This gives them the space to live on their own, while still being close enough for family to visit and assist when needed. 'It will help them manage better as a family and give the children more room to grow,' he said, adding that the family helped facilitate the application for the SMJ house. Hendary supports his household through various types of small-scale work in the village. In a brief exchange during the handover, Hendary expressed his gratitude through gestures, thanking the assemblyman and government for the assistance. He also invited several friends with similar disabilities to be present, wanting to share the moment with them. Joniston said the SMJ housing programme is part of the state government's ongoing commitment to improve the living conditions of rural residents, especially those with low income and physical challenges. 'We want to make sure that people with different needs, including those with disabilities, are not left behind. A home like this can have a big impact on daily life. 'More SMJ houses will be built in Kiulu because there are still many less fortunate families who need proper housing,' said Joniston. There are currently 120 SMJ houses built in the Kiulu constituency under the Sabah Maju Jaya development plan, continuing the state's commitment to community welfare and inclusive rural development.
New Straits Times
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Kg Iboi floods: Three years later, the pain still lingers
BALING: Even though it has been three years since the devastating water surge and floods hit Kampung Iboi, villagers of this once tranquil village at the foot of Gunung Inas near here are still rebuilding their lives as scars of the past linger on. The tragedy on July 4, 2022, caused by intense rainfall and large volume of water flowing down from Gunung Inas claimed the lives of three villagers, including an expectant mother, and caused extensive damage to homes, infrastructure and livelihoods. Former Village Development and Security Committee secretary Mohamad Nor Che Husain, also known as Pak Teh, said the community's shared journey of recovery had fostered a deep sense of unity and resilience. "With the cooperation of residents and strong support from government agencies, things are progressing well. The harmony we now enjoy is genuine. "I hope this sense of unity remains strong. Let's not allow narrow political ideologies to tear apart the bonds of kinship we've built," he said during a visit to a chalet near the site of the flood. Kampung Iboi was "ground zero" of the tragedy, in which 12 homes were also destroyed and 50 others severely damaged. Despite the painful memories, recent improvements, including the nearly completed disaster mitigation infrastructure, better road connectivity and the absence of floods since early this year, had brought a sense of calm and cautious optimism for the villagers. Reflecting on the village's journey over the past three years, Nor said emotional wounds had slowly started to heal, though not entirely. "You can see the changes in the community but to say they've fully recovered, I think that will take more time." He said economic hardship remained a key challenge, especially for those reliant on agriculture and tourism in the once vibrant Lata Celak recreational park. Nor also suggested erecting a permanent memorial in the village. His proposal was supported by Village Development and Security Committee chairman Muzani Md Noh, who also urged the authorities to restore water supply and rehabilitate the farm soil damaged in the disaster. "Much progress has been made but water and soil issues need attention." Muzani said he hoped that Lata Celak could be redeveloped as a geo-disaster education and ecotourism site, which he believed could rejuvenate the local economy. Earlier, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail had announced that the RM22.8 million Sabo Dam project in Sungai Kupang was progressing ahead of schedule, with a 62 per cent completion rate, compared with the projected 20 per cent at this stage. He also said 17 new homes for victims were 95 per cent complete, and set to be handed over by the end of the month. The RM3 million initiative is funded by the federal government, with the state providing land valued at RM600,000. To curb future flood risks, two phases of flood mitigation projects were underway. Phase 1 of the Baling Flood Mitigation Plan (RTB Baling) involves upgrading Sungai Kupang, construction of a crossing structure, embankment works, and other related infrastructure improvements. Putrajaya has also approved two flood mitigation projects for the Baling district — RTB Baling (Sungai Kupang) and RTB Baling Phase 2 — as part of efforts to address recurring floods in the area.
