Rising from the floods, the Kelantanese show their resilience

IN a makeshift kitchen standing on the site of a house ruined by the floods in Kampung Laloh here, Rozita Mat Saad and some family members were busy cooking 'nasi goreng ikan bilis' (fried rice with anchovies) in a big wok.

At an adjacent space covered with building materials salvaged from the floods, a few of her siblings were frying the 'Cek Mek Molek', a Kelantanese fritter made from sweet potatoes.

"We are cooking more than we need, the others who are homeless and have yet to start cooking can come and eat with us here, we are ready to share whatever little we have," she said in a gentle tone.

Though the family home was ruined by the floods, Rozita has been putting up there with her parents and siblings as her own house located some 500 metres away was also destroyed by the deluge.

"Never mind, what ever happened has happened. I pray that Allah will guide us in rebuilding the house, then I can go back to my own house," said Rozita who is hopeful the family would get back to their routines as the days go by.

Rising from the ashes
Rozita is among the thousands of people in Kelantan who are slowly starting to rebuild their lives as the state recovers from the recent devastating floods that displaced more than 134,000 people and destroyed thousands of homes and infrastructure in the state.

Though they may have resigned to fate but they have not given up on life.

A brief survey by Bernama over a week in early January during the immediate post flood period from Gua Musang to Kuala Krai, about 180 kilometres in distance, indicated the Kelantanese have been showing great resilience in starting over again.

Some like mobile vegetable vendors Muhammad Salleh, 57, and wife Maimun Mamat, 56, have already started their routine around Kampung Manek Urai Lama though their vegetable outlet in Kampung Sungai Mengkuang, near the Kuala Krai town, was submerged under water.

"We suffered loses, by resuming our business this is how we can start over again. And this is how we can also assist the villagers who may not have eaten vegetables for a while now," noted Muhammad.

A 'Pasar Tani' (agriculture market) trader Syukri Din, 45, noted that they have to carry on with business as their services were sought after now.

"The flood victims are busy cleaning their homes, even if one is to start cooking there is no guarantee the stove will work. This is where the business community could help them with their services," he added.

As for Syukri, it is the time for the business community to help those in need and that they should not take advantage of the situation by increasing the prices of products and services.

The survey by Bernama around Kuala Krai also indicated more traders resumed business as the days went by, including the biggest supermarket here the Pasaraya Pantai Timur with more and more people starting to patronise the place.
Not just hoping for assistance

In spite of the numerous aid promised by the government and private sector for flood victims, rebuilding over 2,000 houses that either have been washed away or badly damaged is a daunting task for its owners.

Ahmad Hamzah, 52, and Sarimah Bakar, 50, have 11 children and nine of their children live with them in Kampung Manek Urai Lama.

"As long as I'm concerned, I will accept with an open heart any housing assistance. At the same time, if provided the tool and construction material, I'm ready to rebuild the house slowly," said Ahmad.

Ahmad admitted that he was devastated seeing his house built under the Hardcore Poor Programme in 1997 destroyed by the flood waters.

"What is left is the concrete staircase that now serves as the base for the temporary shelter for the family.

"I am sad and even have cried looking at the destruction, but I cannot keep on crying. In fact many people come here to assist, provide us with food, school uniforms and even money.

"This is what gives us the strength to keep going. I have not given up hope. I want to rebuild the house on this land and get on with life. Never mind even it takes a long time, what is more important is that we should not lose hope," said Ahmad who is still undergoing follow-up check-ups for the heart by-pass he went in March 2014.

As for his wife, she hopes that the house will be rebuilt soon and the assistance like food and other necessities will continue until the situation stabilises.

Any help is welcomed
Meanwhile, more than 100 families have been taking refuge at a temporary shelter at Bandar Utama site in Gua Musang until their temporary homes are ready.

The temporary shelter is among the immediate steps taken by the Kelantan Post Flood Committee chaired jointly by the Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob and Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Sri Mustapa Mohamed who is also the Member of Parliament for Jeli.

The immediate step is setting up temporary shelter before permanent homes can be completed.

The temporary shelter comes with amenities like water, electricity and free food provided by the Social Welfare Services Department and Civil Defence Force (JPAM).

Mariam Zainuddin, 32, has been putting up at the shelter since it opened on Dec 12, 2014 with her husband and four children as her house was washed away by the floods.

"We did not want to leave our house or what ever is left of it. However, to help facilitate the work of many parties and including for our own convenience we accepted the offer to put up here," said Mariam.

The same views were shared by Saodah Salleh, 56 and husband, Ramli Yaacob, 60 who have been putting up at the shelter with their children and grandchildren. The youngest being one and a half years old.

While busy boiling water to mix milk for her grandchild, Saodah related to Bernama that the flood victims were ready face the difficulties for the time being and move on with life. – Bernama