by Zulkifli Sulong
The Malaysian Insider
May 22, 2015
Despite being attacked by certain quarters in Kelantan over its hudud stance, many are unaware that DAP’s Impian Kelantan project has successfully rebuilt a village in Gua Musang that was destroyed in the floods last December.
Kampung Pasir Tumbuh was redeveloped by Impian Kelantan, a joint effort between PAS and DAP, PAS Youth, Ground Zero and other non-governmental organisations, to which DAP had contributed RM500,000 from its own pocket.
There are also other NGOs, corporate companies and individuals, apart from the Kelantan and federal governments, who have come forward to help the flood victims in this mostly Muslim state where hundreds are still living in tents as the fasting month of Ramadan approaches.
A total of 1,821 families lost their homes in the floods and are concentrated in four main districts – Gua Musang, Kuala Krai, Machang and Tanah Merah.
Impian Kelantan joined forces with a Kelantanese businessman and a state government subsidiary to complete 25 new homes to replace those washed during the floods, and also repaired 35 homes, project manager Mohd Fauzi Mohd Azmi said.
“Now we are at a critical phase to complete the homes before Ramadan,” said Fauzi, who has been living on site since February 28.
Kampung Pasir Tumbuh had 83 homes and a school, and according to village chief Ahmad Seman, only eight were not destroyed in the floods.
Until today, however, classes for the students in Sekolah Kebangsaan Pasir Tumbuh are being conducted in a hostel building after their classrooms were submerged and still awaiting repairs.
The main supporter of the Pasir Tumbuh project is former PAS candidate for the Kota Baru parliament seat, Datuk Wan Abdul Rahim Abdullah, who managed the project through the Cakna UT NGO, which is part of Impian Kelantan.
Impian Kelantan, which is chaired by PAS vice-president Datuk Husam Musa, was launched by PAS and DAP leadership on January 31 at the Kelantan Chinese Assembly Hall near Kota Baru.
Also present were DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang and other party leaders as well as national laureate Datuk A. Samad Said and former Bersih co-chair Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan.
They were feted by the state government to a dinner at the official residence of the Kelantan menteri besar.
At the launch, DAP national organising secretary Anthony Loke said DAP and the other NGOs as well as volunteers involved in the rebuilding efforts did not have any political agenda.
“Impian Kelantan does not use DAP’s rocket logo because the initiative is by the people of Malaysia beyond party lines.”
Impian Kelantan has its own approach in its efforts to rebuild the villages devastated by the floods.
“Our rebuilding concept is easy. We asked the victims what type of houses they needed.
“We then prepared the building materials and the homeowner builds it, and we helped by paying him RM50 a day for labour costs.
“They, in turn, were helped by their neighbours and volunteers who came every week from every part of Malaysia,” Fauzi told The Malaysian Insider.
According to Fauzi, Impian Kelantan had set aside RM15,000 to RM25,000 for each house in the village. He added that RM1.3 million has been allocated for the rebuilding efforts.
However, DAP and Lim are being attacked by certain quarters in PAS including its president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang following a talk organised by the Islamist party’s Kota Baru division.
Lim was said to have attacked hudud in the talk, but that allegation has yet to be proven, after the DAP leader challenged those who accused him to reveal which part of his speech attacked the Islamic law.
Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob reportedly said Lim’s comments on hudud in his speech was not appropriate.
“We know that he is opposed to hudud, but he should not have voiced it openly at our own home.
“He should have respected Kelantan,” he reportedly said.
PAS Kelantan has urged its Kota Baru division to explain the matter – the invitation to Lim and the reason the talk was held. – May 22, 2015.