KOTA KINABALU: The days of leniency are over for residents stubbornly clinging to life in Kinabatangan’s flood-prone zones, says Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.
The Kinabatangan MP did not mince words about the situation in Bukit Garam and surrounding areas, where some residents continue to resist relocation despite the availability of provided housing.
Bung Moktar said a housing development was specifically built, but many chose to either reject the offer or return to the high-risk area after initially relocating.
In some cases, new settlers have moved in and constructed makeshift homes.
He said the district council has since issued a notice ordering all occupants in the affected zones to move out, stressing that no further tolerance will be shown.
"I've instructed the district office to stop this immediately. We can’t keep allowing people to live in these high-risk areas when safe housing has already been made available," Bung Moktar said when met at a Hari Raya programme in Libaran, Sandakan, on Saturday (April 5).
His remarks follow Friday's (April 4) enforcement of a mandatory evacuation order, covering red-zone areas including Kampung Muhibbah, Kampung Muhibbah Tengah, Kampung Muhibbah Hujung, the community hall, and all homes within 100m of the Pengkalan jetty.
As of Saturday, 29 families—totalling 131 individuals—have been relocated to the temporary relief centre at SK Bukit Garam.
Despite repeated reminders and evacuation calls, some residents initially refused to move, citing concerns such as theft, conditions at the
relief centre, and attachment to personal belongings.
The affected areas were declared unsafe in 2013 under a government resettlement programme, with original residents moved to Taman Pelangi.
However, over time, others gradually moved in and began rebuilding in the same high-risk zone.
Kinabatangan Civil Defence Force officer Kapt Ahmad Roslan Mohd Kamel said many of the current occupants are not original residents.
"Some inherited the homes, others rented them, and some returned after selling or leasing their resettlement units," he said.
"In theory, this area should have been cleared. In practice, we face the same burden every flood season."
He added that the presence of unregulated residents complicates rescue and relief operations for frontline agencies, who are obligated to ensure the safety of everyone in the area, regardless of circumstance.
This year alone, the area has already experienced flooding three times.
