Bukit Bunga Fire Victims Appeal For Help To Rebuild Business

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- Pix by Sharifah Mahsinah AbdullahTANAH MERAH: Traders at nine shophouses in the Bukit Bunga duty-free zone who had lost their wares in a fire on Monday are seeking public donations to help them rebuild their businesses.
Cosmetics seller Wan Zuraidah Wan Abidin, 35, said she suffered losses of about RM70,000 when all her wares were destroyed in the fire.
"I have been selling cosmetics for a few years and relying on the business for a living.
"We are pleading for the public and authorities' help to solve our problem as many of us could not afford to raise the capital needed to restart our business."
The owner of the nine shophouses who rented the premises to the traders, Kamaruddin Che Ishak, 68, said he needed between RM200,000 to RM300,000 to repair the affected shophouses.

- Pix by Sharifah Mahsinah Abdullah
"I set up the row of nine shophouses about 16 years ago at the cost of RM160,000 and have rented out the premises for about RM600 a month. That has been the only income to support my family," he said.
Meanwhile, the plight suffered by the nine traders caught the attention of Bukit Bunga assemblyman Datuk Mohd Adhan Kechik who later handed over a cash donation of RM500 to each trader today.
Adhan said he had informed the relevant agency as well as the state government about the matter.
The row of nine shophouses was destroyed in the fire which broke out about 9.15am on Monday.
Two workers who were inside two of the shophouses managed to escape unhurt in the incident.
The destroyed shophouses sold various types of goods such as kitchen appliances and toys.
The Bukit Bunga duty-free zone has existed since the 1980s and is among three duty free zones in Kelantan. - NST

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