KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government must improve its preparedness for climate-related disasters such as floods, says Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal.
The Warisan president said climate change is already here, and governments must implement measures to prevent exacerbating the situation — including improved flood planning, enforcement and reforestation.
“Leaders must be ready to face changing weather. It could be flooding, it could be fire. We need to find deterrents to avoid it,” he said.
Shafie, a former chief minister, said that uncontrolled logging has worsened flooding in Sabah, as it removes tree roots that help absorb water from the soil.
“That’s why I banned log exports. People keep cutting down trees — then there are no roots to hold water. It flows straight to lower areas,” he said.
He also called for proper infrastructure, such as broader monsoon drains, to help water flow out to sea instead of overflowing into flood-prone villages.
On assistance for victims, Shafie questioned why flood victims in Johor reportedly received more than those in Sabah.
“In Johor, I saw people getting RM3,000. In Sabah, it’s RM1,300. And I was told even that may have come from Yayasan Sabah, not the state government.
"I want to find out if that’s true,” he said.
Shafie spoke to reporters after attending a breaking of fast event and donation programme for asnaf communities in Libaran on Sunday (March 23).
Sabah has been hit by floods three times so far this year — in January, February and early March — with thousands affected in districts such as Kota Marudu, Pitas, Paitan, Telupid, Beluran, Sandakan and Kinabatangan.
The Johor state government announced on March 22 that families affected by the recent floods would receive RM3,000 in financial aid before Hari Raya Aidilfitri, expected on March 31.
