PERMANENT SETTLEMENT FOR UNHCR FIRE VICTIMS BEING IDENTIFIED

LABUAN (Malaysia), May 18 (Bernama) -- The Federal Territories Ministry is
identifying a suitable permanent settlement area on the island for United Nation
High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) fire victims who lost their homes in a fire
on Thursday, said its minister Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin.

"We will decide whether or not to reuse the present settlement at Kampung
Muslim for the UN refugees or otherwise. But I have briefed the National
Security Council this afternoon that we will also be identifying a suitable
permanent settlement in other areas for these refugees," he told reporters after
presenting relief aid to the fire victims at their temporary shelter at the
Youth and Sports Department Hall here Sunday.

Raja Nong Chik said all the victims would be assisted regardless of their
nationality.

"We are helping them based on humanitarian grounds and this is the Barisan
National spirit of helping the needy and in line with the 1Malaysia concept
introduced by Prime Minister," he said.

In Thursday's fire, more than 3,000 people were made homeless and so far,
a total of 2,576 people have registered and will be given new houses
under an allocation peovided by the National Security Council.
-- BERNAMA