A VOLUNTEER lorry driver delivering relief supplies to victims of a devastating fire in Kampung Bahagia near Sandakan has expressed his shock and distress after a group of individuals intercepted his vehicle and took items intended for those affected.
Jeffry Ayung, 36, said the incident occurred on the first day of the blaze on Sunday as he was transporting donations from Kawasan Rukun Tetangga Sungai Manila and Masjid Sungai Manila to the disaster zone.
Footage of the incident, which has since circulated widely on social media, shows several individuals climbing onto the moving lorry, removing goods and throwing them to the ground.
Contacted for comment, Jeffry said tensions escalated unexpectedly while he was en route to the collection centre when his vehicle was approached by unknown individuals.
"I was informed they were outsiders, not residents of Kampung Bahagia. I was shocked; I did not expect them to be so aggressive, but there was no damage or injury, so we just carried on slowly. However, by the time we reached the collection centre, the donated goods were gone," he said.
An estimated 9,000 residents were affected by the large-scale fire on Sunday, which destroyed about 1,000 homes in the waterside settlement.
Jeffry said he felt saddened and guilty following the incident, having been entrusted with delivering community donations, only for the supplies not to reach their intended recipients.
He added that it was his first experience of such a situation after four years of volunteering to provide free transport for relief efforts during disasters.
"After the incident, we requested assistance from the authorities or non-governmental organisations to escort us when delivering aid. The assistance we deliver is not only to Kampung Bahagia, but also to temporary evacuation centres for fire victims.
"Today is the last day we are providing free lorry services; after this we will return to our regular work," he said, noting that four other volunteers had also offered free transport over the past three days.
The group transported donations including clothing, bottled water and dry food contributed by local residents and NGOs. - April 22, 2026
