KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has put politics on hold, with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor urging all parties to close ranks and unite in helping victims of the recent floods and landslides.
Dismissing talk of the dissolution of the state assembly, Hajiji stressed that both the state and federal governments are focused on providing immediate assistance to those affected.
“We have not thought about dissolving. Let us first help the victims. This is the time to show that political differences are not a barrier.
“In facing disasters, the people and government agencies must work together. Let us not think about politics first, let us not make this an issue,” he told reporters during visits to flood and landslide victims in Papar yesterday.
Hajiji was responding to speculation that the State Legislative Assembly would be dissolved this month to pave the way for the 17th state election. The current five-year term of the assembly ends on Nov 11.
During his visit to Kampung Mook, Hajiji extended condolences to Aristhotle @ Jude Joseph, whose wife Emily Johnny, 38, and son Xarell Myre Aristhotle, 11, were killed when their house was flattened in a landslide.
He also paid his last respects to the mother and son.
The affected villagers have been placed at the community hall in the village.
Hajiji said the state government would provide RM10,000 to each family who lost loved ones in the disaster and RM30,000 to rebuild the three houses destroyed in the village.
“From the state and federal governments, we will help. Hopefully, this can ease the burden of the victims’ families,” he said.
The Chief Minister also visited disaster victims at several temporary relief centres in Dewan Marahang, Bongawan Community Hall and Salagon in Papar and Beaufort.
Meanwhile, Sabah Barisan Nasional has decided to put its Gelombang Biru (Blue Wave) programme on hold to focus on helping flood and landslide victims in the state.
The programme, initially scheduled to begin on Sept 21, is meant to project confidence in the coalition’s return to governing the state.
Sabah Umno information chief Datuk Suhaimi Nasir said it was inappropriate to hold political gatherings while many Sabahans were mourning the loss of loved ones and struggling with the disaster.
“Political activities can wait when people are suffering,” he said.
Suhaimi said Sabah Barisan-Umno has mobilised all its machinery on the ground to assist, deliver aid and offer prayers for those affected.
“We extend our deepest condolences to all families of the victims who perished.
“Their grief is our grief. During this time, we do not see them as voters or supporters of any party. They are our brothers and sisters, our family, the blood of Sabah.
“When a child is sleeping cold in an evacuation centre, when a mother has lost her shelter and when a family is mourning the burial of a loved one, that is where all our energy must be directed,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Suhaimi said the Gelombang Biru programme would be resumed at a later date, stressing that humanitarian aid and solidarity must come above politics.
