PENAMPANG, 2 June 2018:
The move to halt timber export by the Sabah state government is seen as one of the serious measures to combat floods in the state especially in Penampang.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said floods – which frequently occurred in the district – was the effects of previous logging activities in Keningau.
“This (logging effect) is one of the causes of floods as rainwater flows from Tambunan (in Keningau) to stagnate in Penampang.
“However, I have also asked the Works Department to visit the area to see if a flood mitigation programme was required to expedite solving the flood problem in Penampang,” he said after visiting the Penampang flood operation room here today.
Besides, Mohd Shafie also said cooperation between the state government and the Meteorological Department is important to enable quick evacuation of residents from the flood-prone areas during bad weather.
A total of 14 villages in Penampang were affected by floods due to non-stop heavy rain since Thursday while several areas in the west coast of Sabah including Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran, Papar, Putatan and Kota Belud were also inundated.
Meanwhile in KOTA KINABALU, State Infrastructure Development Minister Datuk Peter Anthony said a working paper to overcome floods in Penampang near here would be tabled soon.
“The paper will recommend several measures including cleaning up the river of wooden debris from timber activities in the river.”
In this regard, 16 residents from seven families in Membakut, Papar were evacuated at noon when their villagers were flooded due to continuous rain in the past two days.
The Malaysian Civil Defence Force said in a statement the victims were housed at Membakut multipurpose hall since 12.40pm today.
“The six villages affected are Kampung (Kg) Jambatan Baru, Kg Kayai, Kg Lampijas, Kg Lumantak, Kg Baitam and Kg Baru and water is receding in the area.”
The statement also said there were only five flood victims from two families still seeking shelter at the Penampang flood relief centre as at 2pm.
– Bernama