PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to travel to Sandakan on Wednesday to meet victims of a devastating fire that has displaced thousands and destroyed a large swathe of homes in Kampung Bahagia near Sandakan.
The visit will focus on assessing the situation on the ground and ensuring that aid distribution and relief operations are proceeding effectively following the disaster, which struck on Sunday and left more than 9,000 residents affected.
Anwar is expected to begin his visit at Masjid Kampung Bahagia at 4.20pm, where he will survey the extent of the damage in the affected area. He will then continue to three temporary evacuation centres housing displaced residents.
His itinerary includes a visit to Sekolah Kebangsaan Gas at 4.35pm, followed by the Dewan Program Perumahan Rakyat Taman Batu Sapi at 5.00pm.
The final stop is scheduled for 5.30pm at Dewan Lintas Sibuga, where further briefings on relief coordination and assistance efforts are expected.
The fire, which tore through Kampung Bahagia earlier this week, destroyed approximately 1,000 homes, leaving thousands without shelter and placing pressure on emergency services and local authorities to provide immediate assistance and longe
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Separately, support and humanitarian aid continue to flow in from across Malaysia following the devastating fire that destroyed homes in Kampung Bahagia, Sandakan, underscoring a strong sense of unity and compassion among Malaysians on both sides of the South China Sea.
Aid efforts have since intensified, with individuals, companies and non-governmental organisations mobilising supplies including food, clothing and emergency shelter materials.
A representative of a private company, Althomy Jul Tong, 49, told Bernama he was at the site on behalf of his employer to distribute essential food supplies to affected residents.
“This is our contribution to the affected residents, and we hope it will help,” he said, adding that 200 packets of rice and food baskets were handed out to ease the burden of those impacted.
Bernama’s observations at the site also found multiple groups actively distributing clothing and essential items for children, while the Sekong division of Parti Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) took the initiative to construct 10 temporary toilets to improve sanitation conditions for victims.
Mohamad Kadir Abd Jalil, representing the NGO Kebajikan Marhaen Sandakan, said the response from the public has been overwhelming, including contributions from individuals in Peninsular Malaysia.
“One of my contacts acted immediately by reaching out to me to donate 30 tents specifically for the convenience of residents who were severely affected. This reflects our spirit as Malaysians,” he said.
He said the tents are urgently needed as some victims have chosen not to stay at temporary evacuation centres, instead sleeping near the remains of their destroyed homes.
“The fire victims are sleeping on canvas under the open sky, so on humanitarian grounds, many members of the public are stepping forward to offer the necessary assistance,” he added.
Better known as Wan among fellow NGO members, Mohamad Kadir said his team has been on the ground since the first day of the disaster, distributing food and drinks provided by various donors.
On the first day alone, the NGO delivered 140 cartons of mineral water and 300 packs of bread in the afternoon, followed by 300 packs of cooked meals later that night.
“Yesterday, we delivered more than 1,000 packs of bread and water to the village with the cooperation of several companies, including local restaurant operators,” he said.
Corporate support has also come from Restoran Siang-Siang Sandakan, which has been preparing meals at the disaster site under its corporate social responsibility initiative.
A representative of the restaurant, Mohd Adhah Sariffudin, 28, said on-site cooking was necessary as victims had lost their homes and lacked cooking facilities.
“This morning, we prepared breakfast consisting of fried noodles, eggs, sausages and hot drinks, bringing along 100 kilogrammes of noodles and 40 trays of eggs to be cooked on-site,” he said, adding that different meals would be provided for lunch and dinner. - April 22, 2026
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