Chief Minister Inspects Landslide Site, Orders Immediate Action

13 September 2025

PENAMPANG: The repair works on the Penampang–Tambunan road, which was damaged by a landslide, must be expedited to ensure the safety of road users and maintain connectivity to the interior.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor stated, “The State Government places the safety of the people as its top priority. We want these repair works to be completed quickly so that residents are not further affected,” he said after inspecting the site at Kampung Pogunon on Saturday.

Fresh from Kuching, where he attended the MA63 Technical Committee Meeting with the Prime Minister and Sarawak Premier, Hajiji went straight to the landslide location with Deputy Chief Minister III/Minister of Public Works Datuk Ir. Shahelmey Yahya; Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives and Penampang MP, Datuk Ewon Benedick; Kapayan Assemblywoman, Datuk Jannie Lasimbang; and Gagasan Rakyat Moyog Division Chief, Datuk Ceasar Mandela Malakun, to obtain a clear update on the ongoing works.

Hajiji directed the Sabah Public Works Department (JKR), the concession company and related agencies to deploy more machinery and work round the clock to ensure the two-way carriageway could be reopened soon.

“I had the chance to see the collapsed section from the hillside over there. We want JKR and the concession company maintaining this road to act immediately. We were assured that within one or two days they will be able to restore the two-way road.

“Currently, only one lane is open, so work will continue 24 hours a day. We ask road users and residents in the area to be patient and allow the Government to act as swiftly as possible,” he explained.

In addition to road repairs, Hajiji stressed the need for electricity supply, which was cut off by the incident, to be restored quickly.

“As for the power lines that were brought down, we are asking Sabah Electricity to act immediately to reconnect supply. I will personally be in touch with the CEO of Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd to ensure prompt action,” he said.

He also instructed the Sabah Water Department and JETAMA to restore clean water supply to affected areas. All assistance efforts, he added, would be coordinated by the State Disaster Management Committee with the support of relevant agencies, including the Welfare Department, to ensure aid reaches those affected.

Preliminary investigations found the landslide was triggered by three consecutive days of heavy rain. According to the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) via the Public InfoBanjir portal, the highest rainfall recorded was 23.4 millimetres within 15 minutes and 82.5 millimetres in a single day on 11 September. This destabilised the slope in the area, leading to a major collapse.

Hajiji also expressed sorrow and sympathy to the family of the landslide victim whose home was buried.

“On behalf of the Government, I extend my condolences to the family whose house collapsed and was buried, resulting in the loss of life. We are deeply saddened as this is a tragedy beyond our control,” he said.

The Chief Minister assured that the State Government would provide compassionate aid and support to help rebuild the affected family’s home.

“The State Government is very concerned about the plight of the victims’ family. I guarantee that immediate assistance will be delivered,” he added.

As of 12.00 noon today, Sabah JKR reported several locations along Jalan R500 Kota Kinabalu–Keningau–Tenom remained affected by floods and landslides, though most stretches were already passable under single-lane control while clearing works were ongoing.

Meanwhile, according to the Sabah State Disaster Management Committee Secretariat, as of 8.00 am, 13 September, a total of 437 victims from 128 families were still housed at five temporary evacuation centres (PPS) in three districts: Beaufort, Penampang and Tawau.

In Beaufort, 154 victims from 53 families are being housed at PPS Selagon.

In Penampang, 224 victims from 64 families are spread across three PPS – Penampang Sports Complex (39), SK St Paul Kolopis (43) and Dewan Huguan Siou (142).

In Tawau, 59 victims from 11 families are being accommodated at PPS Masjid Al-Aman following a fire.

Overall, 23 villages have been affected, with one fatality recorded as a result of the disaster.