Sabah to seek federal funding for flood aid

SABAH will seek further assistance from Putrajaya to help those affected by the floods to recover after the disaster.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan said the state will be seeking federal monetary assistance to support the victims and for clean-up work involving homes in the aftermath of the flooding.

“The timely support of the federal government is crucial in ensuring that our communities can recover swiftly and effectively.

“This collaboration will enable us to provide the necessary resources and support to those who have been impacted by this disaster and to implement the long-term measures required to prevent future occurrences,” he said.

Jeffrey, who is also the minister-in-charge of drainage and irrigation, noted the flooding had been caused by prolonged rainfall on June 30. A 1.2-m high tide peaking at 5.35pm further exacerbated the conditions.

“This prolonged downpour overwhelmed the capacity of our rivers to contain the water, leading to extensive overflow and subsequent flooding in several areas,” he said.

Over 300 people have been evacuated to temporary relief centres and more suffered property losses due to the ongoing flood.

Earlier, the state handed RM1,000 cash aid to each affected family while RM1,000 more is expected to be given through the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma).

Jeffrey said short-term measures to mitigate the effects of the flood has commenced.

He said a rigorous schedule of routine maintenance work and the cleaning and dredging of drains and rivers to improve the watercourses’ capacity to manage excess water have been implemented.

Jeffrey also vowed to expedite all the long-term flood mitigation works such as the Integrated River Basin Project for Sungai Moyog, the main river in Penampang.

He cited Package 4 and Package 2A of the River Basin Project, which are scheduled to commence this year and be completed in 2029.

“This project involves the construction of additional flood control structures, riverbank stabilisation, and improvements to drainage systems.

“These enhancements are crucial for managing the flow of the river and reducing the risk of overflow during heavy rainfall,” he said. – July 2, 2024