KOTA KINABALU: Flood victims in Penampang turned emotional about their perennial predicament as Pakatan Harapan candidate Datuk Ewon Benedick canvassed for votes in the Kadazandusun-majority constituency on Sunday (Nov 6).
Benedick, who is also the incoming Upko president, spent time visiting several homes in Kampung Sugud, one of the flood-prone villages in Penampang, which was again hit after heavy rain the night before.
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Villagers also claimed to Benedick, who was accompanied by Sabah DAP’s Kapayan assemblyman Jannie Lasimbang and several local Pakatan leaders, that flood aid did not reach many of those affected by the disaster last year.
“The villagers felt it was unfair that flood victims did not get assistance while those unaffected received aid instead.
“I sympathise with their predicament. Hence, among my aspirations for the Penampang people in the 15th General Election (GE15) is to (be of) service to them and (distribute) post-flood assistance fairly and transparently,” he said.
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To this end, Benedick hoped to establish a special action and high-impact project implementation monitoring committee for Penampang if he is elected as MP.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan had said last month that the Sabah government was doing its best to complete the ongoing Penampang and Putatan flood mitigation projects to tackle the problem in the two neighbouring districts.
Kitingan said, however, the projects could only be completed in six years, urging families residing in flood-prone areas to relocate during heavy rain.
Meanwhile, Kampung Sugud resident Jeofrrin Likius said his village has already been flooded twice this year.
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He said the worst flooding took place in September last year.
“I hope the flood mitigation project at Sungai Sugud that has just started will be able to solve this problem in our village,” he said, adding that most of the assistance received by flood victims in his village came from non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Jeofrrin also said three bridges that were severely damaged or washed away by floodwaters last year have yet to be repaired.
“That is why we want an elected representative who is sensitive and alert to the villagers’ issues.
“We want a leader who not only can speak up in Parliament but someone who always comes down to meet the people and listen to their problems,” he said.
Benedick is in a four-way fight for the Penampang seat against incumbent Datuk Darell Leiking, the Parti Warisan deputy president, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah candidate Kenny Chua and Independent contender Richard Jimmy.
