2014 Flood Trauma: Orang Asli In Gua Musang To Stay Put On Higher Ground Shed

GUA MUSANG, Nov 30 (Bernama) -- The Orang Asli community in Kampung Pasir Linggi, Pos Lebir, here, have decided to remain staying in a shed on the hill even though floods have subsided.

Kampung Pasir Linggi headman, Harun Ismail, said that until now 50 families are still afraid and worried about returning to their homes located in low-lying areas in the settlement.

He said they are still traumatised by the bitter experience of being hit by the yellow flood in 2014 and refuse to return home again.

“We are still traumatised by the event because the tragedy happened suddenly and quickly without any preparation. So this time, we decided to wait longer on the hill because we are worried that another flood will occur.

“The weather in this village is still rainy after the Linggi River overflowed to our residence and submerged the bridge in this village,” he told reporters in the village, here, yesterday.

According to Harun, the community started moving since on Monday and will be living in a shed built more than a month ago for another week.

“All initial preparations have been made including providing sufficient food and necessities while staying on the hill and we also did not forget to bring important documents with us.

“When the 2014 yellow flood hit, we had to leave our house without any food supplies. That experience is impossible to forget because we had to starve and eat only in moderation," he said.

On Nov 27, nearly 400 Orang Asli residents of the Mendriq and Bateq tribes in Kampung Pasir Linggi, Pos Lebir here, started moving to a shed built on a nearby hill the night before.

-- BERNAMA