| Rokiah Mahmud |
THE plight of Norja binti Zaman, whose house in Ban 5, Kampong Kilanas collapsed on May 30, touched the conscience of many people, when it recently went viral on social media.
Norja, 48, and her husband, a Malaysian national, had been working on repairs to their crumbling house for some time, but stopped due to lack of financial support and construction materials. They are now faced with no other choice, except to continue living in their half-collapsed house.
In an interview with the Bulletin on Monday, Norja disclosed that immediate financial assistance had been provided for them, after she informed their village head of their situation. But she continues to worry about her 18-year-old daughter, who has been visually impaired since she was two years old, and for her four-year-old son.
She also revealed that she had been submitting applications to the Brunei-Muara District Office since 2014, seeking financial assistance to repair her broken-down home, but has yet to receive a response.
The wooden house, which was originally built in 1979, had belonged to her father. When her father passed away, she inherited the house, which was by then in need of major repairs.
“Whenever there are heavy rains or thunderstorms, I often worry that the house might collapse anytime, as we can feel it shaking,” said Norja, adding, “The state of the leaking roof only adds more to my fears.”
A rear view of Norja’s house that has partly collapsed. – ROKIAH MAHMUD
Her husband works in a private company, but his income is only enough to provide the family with their daily essentials, and the repairs to their house have to be put aside for a while.
According to Norja, she was informed by the Brunei Islamic Council (MUIB) that she and her family will be moved to a temporary home at Jalan Ban 2, until the construction of their new home is completed. She does not know when they will be relocated, but hopes that it might be anytime soon.
The Bulletin also contacted Misle bin Haji Abdul Karim, the Acting Brunei-Muara District Officer, in seeking further clarification on the matter.
Misle said that they are aware of the situation faced by Norja, and that her application has since been processed. He also explained the relocation of the family to Ban 2 is an initiative by MUIB to ease the family’s burdens before the construction of their new home begins.
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