[UPDATED] Floods inundate southern S’wak on nomination day

MIRI – As Sarawak enters the nomination day for its state polls, several areas in populated southern districts have been hit by floods.

Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department said 50 families in three villages were evacuated this morning.

The affected families were from the Samarahan, Kuching and Asajaya districts.

The floods were due to heavy rain and high tide last night and early morning.

“Dewan Sri Buntal in Kuching has been opened as a temporary shelter to house the evacuees,” the department said.

All the flood victims are being provided with food as well.

Fire and Rescue Department teams are on the ground in the flooded zones.

The Meteorological Department said various parts of Sarawak, including several interior locations, are expected to see rain today.

Election candidates make their way to nomination centres

Meanwhile, the nomination process for some candidates went smoothly despite the rain.

Candidates for the Stakan constituency, who arrived early at Dewan Sri Samarahan, said traffic was smooth although some roads in Kota Samarahan were flooded.

DAP candidate Leslie Ting told The Vibes he managed to submit his papers successfully.

“Although it has been raining heavily since last night and some parts of Kota Samarahan were hit by floods, the nomination process at Tun Abdul Razak Teachers’ Institute in Kota Samarahan went on as usual.”

Parti Sarawak Bersatu candidate George Siricord Junior and GPS candidate Datuk Hamzah Brahim also made it in good time.

So far, a four-cornered fight is expected in Stakan. The official list of candidates will only be available later.

Meanwhile, at the Kota Sentosa nomination centre, DAP candidate Michael Kong filed his nomination papers in a bid to defend the DAP stronghold, with incumbent and state DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen contesting in Padungan.

“No floods or other disruptions have affected the nomination process. I am now waiting for the Election Commission to announce the final line-up,” said Kong.

Sarawak enters its official election period starting today, with nomination centres opening as early as 8am.

Candidates are expected to battle it out for 82 state seats come polling day on December 18. Early voting has been set for December 14.

The Election Commission has only approved physical campaigning for areas with poor internet connection.

It also does not allow interstate travel to Sarawak for campaigning activities, except for the top five leaders of contesting political parties. – The Vibes, December 6, 2021

Additional reporting by Joseph Masilamany