KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia Day is usually a time of celebration in Sabah. Not today.
Much of the state is in mourning as deadly landslides and relentless floods continue to claim lives, displace families and leave thousands in misery.
The state has cancelled state- level celebrations scheduled for tonight, with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor stressing that the immediate priority is crisis management, recovery efforts and rescue operations.
As of yesterday, hundreds of victims were still residing in temporary shelters, while thousands of others, particularly in the severely affected area of Penampang, were coping with floodwater and mud inundating their homes.
As rain continues to fall, many are left hoping that the situation does not deteriorate further.
“We worry this will worsen, but all we can do is try to stay calm as we deal with this flood and mud at home,” said Oliver Golingai, 44, whose house in Kg Sarapung Penampang is buried in a mud flood.
“I have no time to think about any celebrations because the focus is to try and clean up the mud,” he said, adding that heavy machinery was needed to clear the knee-deep mud and debris.
Other flood victims are also trying their best to clean up, but the persistent rains make the task almost impossible.
“Even as we start cleaning, the rain returns and the mud flows in again,” said Romina Chong from a nearby village.
Prolonged rains lasting more than 10 days triggered at least four rounds of flash floods in many low-lying areas in Penampang, Kota Kinabalu and surrounding districts.
Beaufort was also affected, although the level of deaths and damages has not reached the level experienced in Penampang.
There have been several landslips that have caused damage to houses and structures, resulting in roads and bridges being cut off. Additionally, a major electric tower supplying power to the east coast has collapsed, leading to an hours-long blackout.
Ironically, even as floodwaters rise, water supply to many parts of the state has been disrupted and is still being rectified.
Assistance has come in from government agencies, non-governmental organisations and individuals, while Upko has launched a disaster fund starting with RM100,000.
