FLOODS: SABAH CM HAJIJI INSTRUCTS ALL LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO BE ON HIGH ALERT

PENAMPANG, July 1 (Bernama) -- Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has instructed all local authorities throughout the state to be on high alert in view of the rainy season.

"Make sure all the drains are cleared up. Do not wait until it rains before taking action. We want to mitigate and must be prepared at all times," he said in a statement after visiting flood victims at the Penampang Cultural Centre temporary shelter here today.

The Chief Minister said the Sabah and Federal governments were very concerned about those affected by the latest flash floods and would assist all the victims. 

"The Sabah government sympathises with their plight, so we are prepared to give an emergency cash assistance of RM1,000 to each family sheltered  at the Penampang Cultural Centre,” he said.

Hajiji added that the Federal government through Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick, who is also Penampang Member of Parliament, would also be lending a hand.

At the same time, Hajiji said that the State government would also consider assisting those not evacuated to the temporary shelter but whose houses have been badly damaged by the floods. 

Earlier, District Officer Francis Chong briefed the Chief Minister that currently, there were 67 families involving 165 people seeking refuge at the temporary shelter since it was activated at 5.25 pm on Sunday.

He was also briefed that 11 villages around the Penampang district were submerged due to the heavy downpour on Sunday. 

One life was lost involving a woman who was swept by strong currents near the roundabout in Donggongon during the flash flood. 

Later, Hajiji accompanied by Ewon, State Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong, Sabah Assistant Works Minister Datuk Limus Jury and Internal Affairs and Research Secretary Datuk Awang Shaminan Sahari checked on the fllood situation at Kampung Tuavon and Hungab.

-- BERNAMA