ALL federal and state government agencies have been mobilised to respond to worsening floods in Sabah, where the number of displaced residents has surged to 3,685 from 1,593 families as of 8 am today.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the authorities are prioritising rescue, evacuation and aid distribution efforts as continuous heavy rain inundates several districts during the holy month of Ramadan.
In a Facebook post, Zahid called on Malaysians to continue praying for those affected, noting that the disaster has disrupted homes, safety and daily routines across the state.
"Our priority is the safety of the people, the welfare of the victims and the recovery of the affected areas as soon as possible. I remind everyone in the affected areas to be vigilant and obey the instructions of the authorities," he said.
According to the Sabah State Disaster Management Secretariat, 18 temporary evacuation centres are currently operating in the worst-hit districts of Kota Marudu, Pitas and Paitan. A total of 47 villages have been affected, including 30 in Pitas, 12 in Kota Marudu and five in Paitan.
Floodwaters began rising at about 6 am yesterday following several days of continuous rainfall. The Malaysian Meteorological Department has forecast further rain in Sabah’s interior areas in the morning, with thunderstorms likely in the afternoon and evening, raising concerns that conditions could deteriorate further.
Authorities continue to coordinate emergency operations to ensure displaced families receive shelter and essential assistance while monitoring weather developments closely. - February 21, 2026
