SANDAKAN – The high tide phenomenon is expected to occur again in this district tonight and tomorrow night following the warning about continuous rain until tomorrow by the Meteorological Department.
In view of that, Sandakan police chief Abdul Fuad Abdul Malek advised residents in the coastal areas to vacate their homes before 6pm today as a precaution.
“I have inspected several places that are at risk and advised the residents to move to their relatives’ place or to a temporary relief centre (PPS) that will be identified in their respective areas,” he told reporters when met at the PPS at SK Sg Anib 2 here today.
About 100 houses in Kg Forest here were damaged due to the high tide phenomenon that occurred at about 10pm yesterday, affecting more than 300 residents, most of whom were evacuated to the PPS at SK Sungai Anib 2.
Fuad said he was grateful that there was no report of casualties during the incident, but advised residents in at-risk areas to obey the orders issued by security personnel – especially for them to evacuate.
He said besides Kg Forest, the high tide also affected Kg Tinusa 2 near here, but there was no damage to houses.
Meanwhile, Sandakan MP Vivian Wong said she will speak with the Sandakan Municipal Council to request the use of housing units under the People’s Housing Programme (PPR) as temporary accommodation for the victims.
“The victims have no place to stay and the PPS is not a long-term solution. I understand that there are PPR houses that have not been occupied which can be used while the victims look for another house,” she said.
Housewife Nurita Mohammad Jara, 35, said she, her family, and neighbours started to evacuate their homes at 8pm yesterday. – Bernama, December 25, 2022
