Kota kinabalu: The landslide disaster that has struck Sabah since last Friday has claimed 12 lives so far, including five children, with 11 deaths reported today and one death on the first day of the incident. Kota Kinabalu district police chief ACP Kasim Muda confirmed that seven of the victims, including four children, were found dead after being buried in a landslide incident in Kampung Cenderakasih, Kolombong in Inanam, today at approximately 9.15 am.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the child victims consisted of three boys and one girl, aged between two and nine years old, while the other three victims were two women and one man, aged 25 to 50 years old. In Papar, Sabah Fire and Rescue Department director Mohd Pisar Aziz said that two victims, a 38-year-old woman and an 11-year-old boy, were found dead after a landslide hit their house in Kampung Mook this morning.
Mohd Pisar said in another incident, two people were found dead after being buried in a landslide in Kampung Marahang Tuntul. He said search and rescue operations are still underway to find another victim buried in the incident. Last Friday, a 97-year-old man was reported to have been buried in a landslide incident in Kampung Sarapung, Penampang.
Meanwhile, the Sabah State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) announced that the number of flood victims has increased to 1,648 from 417 families as of 8 pm today, compared to 863 people from 220 families this afternoon. All the victims are residents from 46 villages in five affected districts. A total of seven temporary evacuation centres (PPS) were opened in Penampang, three in Membakut, and two each in Papar and Putatan. The permanent evacuation centre (PPK) in Selagon, Beaufort, is also open.
The Sabah JPBN also announced that RM1,000 compassionate cash aid (BWI) is being provided to each head of household (KIR) who has been evacuated to evacuation centres, while the next of kin of victims who died due to the disaster will receive RM10,000 death BWI. “BWI is given to Malaysian citizens registered with the Public Welfare Services Department (JPKA). The government is also distributing food baskets to all affected residents,” it said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today approved an immediate allocation of RM10 million through the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) to assist flood-affected victims in the state. According to the Prime Minister, this amount is in addition to the RM11 million that had already been channelled through the state government for the purpose of immediate repairs to basic facilities in the affected areas.
The Sabah government, on the other hand, announced the cancellation of the state-level Malaysia Day celebration scheduled to take place at Padang Merdeka tomorrow night due to the ongoing disaster. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor emphasised that the disaster was caused by continuous rain, and the state government’s immediate priority is to manage the crisis, coordinate recovery efforts, and ensure rescue operations are carried out quickly for affected communities.
At the same time, Hajiji, who visited flood victims housed at PPS in Putatan and Penampang, also distributed aid to those affected. “The state government, through the JPBN, is always prepared to provide immediate assistance to people facing disasters, especially during the continuous rainy season. The government will not compromise on the welfare of the people,” he added.