Bingkor Floods: Residents Call for Long-Term Solutions

Flooded Paddy Field

8 September 2025

KENINGAU: Days of continuous heavy rain have caused water to overflow which dashed the hopes of farmers and villagers in Mukim Bingkor and Mukim Tuntumulud, as paddy fields were destroyed, seedlings washed away, and homes inundated.

The latest floods serve as a stark reminder that Bingkor requires long-term solutions rather than temporary measures whenever the monsoon strikes.

President of the Sabah Environmental Action Association, Julian F. Lian @ Mohd Hafiz, said the flow of the Kisaging River must be maintained regularly.

House on water

He noted that the main irrigation system from Kampung Bunsit through to Tuntumulud, Minansut, Sandapak and Bingkor has become shallow and overgrown, preventing water from flowing smoothly.

“Flooded paddy fields are not just an economic loss but also the people’s livelihood. When water cannot flow properly, entire villages suffer,” he said.

Residents of Kampung Sandapak are among those worst affected. Villager Geoffrey Daigo expressed concern that his home has been repeatedly flooded due to the absence of a proper culvert.

Water in the house

“Each time there is heavy rain, our homes are inundated. We plead for the culvert we requested long ago to be built urgently. Do not wait for a bigger disaster to happen,” he said.

Other residents in Kampung Sandapak and Kampung Buang Sayang, living near the main road leading to Taman Bandukan, also reported that their homes had been flooded. They believe that improved concrete drainage along the roadside is necessary to protect their properties from recurring floods.

Julian stressed that the relevant authorities must put forward a long-term plan, including regular cleaning, maintenance of water channels and upgrading of concrete drainage systems in critical areas.

He expressed confidence that with government attention and community cooperation, this flood disaster could mark a turning point towards meaningful change, securing a safer future for the people of Bingkor.