KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government must implement a comprehensive transformation plan to strengthen safety aspects in Sabah’s water villages as a measure to prevent the recurrence of major fire tragedies.
Kalabakan MP Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy said the recent fire at Kampung Bahagia, Sandakan, which destroyed about a 1,000 stilt houses, should serve as an important lesson to design a more systematic and integrated approach.
He said that preventive efforts must be prioritised to avoid similar incidents in the future.
“It is time for a large-scale transformation plan to be implemented, particularly involving safety in water villages, which are numerous in Sabah. Without effective early measures, we fear the same tragedy could occur in other areas, including the Kalabakan constituency,” he said at the Jom Baca Bersama programme organised by the Sabah State Library in Tawau Thursday (April 23).
According to him, measures that need attention include the provision of safety facilities such as fire hydrants, emergency routes, and enhancing residents’ preparedness in facing disasters.
He said there was also a need for awareness programmes and engagement between relevant agencies and residents to ensure compliance with safety aspects.
“Residents must be made aware on what can and cannot be done, including ensuring that facilities such as fire hydrants are not obstructed, which could hinder operations during emergencies,” he said.
He added that the impact of fires not only involve the destruction of property but also has a major emotional toll on victims and disrupts government development priorities.
“Funds that should be used for development such as roads and schools have to be diverted to disaster recovery. The transformation plan must be drafted and implemented comprehensively across all water villages,” he added.
He said both state and federal governments had acted quickly to assist the Kampung Bahagia victims and it was reflected with the visits by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor to the site.
