Sabah floods: Disaster management committee activated, says CM

KOTA KINABALU: All Sabah District Disaster Management Committees have been ordered to be activated immediately, especially in flood-prone districts, in view of the bad weather conditions in the state.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the immediate measures must be put in place to ensure that all districts are prepared to immediately coordinate action with various agencies for quick mobilisation in the event of floods.

“With the activation of the disaster committee, any form of assistance can be mobilised quickly, including rescue, evacuation of victims and provision of basic needs at temporary evacuation centres.

“I have instructed all district disaster committees to be fully activated so that every action can be coordinated and the affected people receive appropriate protection and assistance,” he said in a statement Friday (Sept 12).

He said as of noon, there were a total of 379 victims from 123 families evacuated to several temporary evacuation centres in Beaufort and Penampang.

In Beaufort, 149 victims from 53 families are now housed at the Selagon temporary relief centres (PPS).

In Penampang, a total of 230 victims from 70 families were transferred to relief centres at Penampang Sports Complex (83 people), SK St Paul Kolopis (50 people) and Dewan Huguan Siou (97 people).

In total, he said the number of victims involved were 127 adult men, including senior citizens, 139 adult women and senior citizens, while the remaining 113 consisted of children and infants.

Hajiji urged the public in high-risk areas to be vigilant with the continuous rain and to evacuate immediately when instructed by the authorities.

“Do not take the risk of being in dangerous areas. Family safety must be prioritised,” he said.

The government will ensure that food, logistics and other necessities continue to be distributed to all victims,” he said.