CM Visits Disaster Victims, Hands Over Aid in Penampang and Putatan

15 September 2025

PENAMPANG: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor visited flood and landslide victims who are being housed at Temporary Evacuation Centres (PPS) here and in Putatan on Monday.

He began his visit at PPS Kampung Sarapung, which shelters victims of floods and landslides, at around 5.30pm before proceeding to Putatan afterwards.

Despite heavy rain, Hajiji insisted on meeting the victims in person to show his concern for their plight, while also handing over government aid.

At PPS Kampung Sarapung, he was briefed by Penampang Municipal Council (MPPg) Deputy President, Normi Dyena John Tren, before distributing assistance to 40 heads of households (KIR).

The aid, in the form of cash and food baskets, was channelled through the State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) to ease the burden of those affected by the floods, while ensuring their welfare is safeguarded throughout their stay at the evacuation centres.

Hajiji said the state government, through JPBN, is always prepared to provide immediate assistance to the people in times of disaster, especially during the ongoing rainy season.

“The government will never compromise on the welfare of the people. Every disaster victim will be given appropriate assistance so they do not feel neglected,” he said.

He also expressed appreciation to government agencies, security forces and volunteers who have worked tirelessly to manage the PPS and ensure the safe evacuation of flood victims.

He stressed that close cooperation among all parties is vital to ensure that safety, comfort and welfare remain priorities when facing natural disasters.

Commenting further on his visit, Hajiji said he and the JPBN, led by State Secretary Datuk Seri Sr Safar Untong, wanted to see first-hand the flood situation in several affected locations.

“I and the State Disaster Management Committee, led by the State Secretary, have gone down to the ground to physically assess the situation so that we can fully understand the floods, landslides and so on, and provide the necessary aid to those affected.

“The government will provide aid within the next couple of days. All flood and landslide victims will receive assistance from both the state and federal governments. The State Welfare Foundation will also provide support,” he told reporters.

He also reminded all elected representatives and District Disaster Management Committee (JPBD) chairmen to closely monitor the disaster situation in their respective areas.

He noted that the recent disaster affecting several districts in Sabah was quite severe, with floods and landslides displacing many residents and damaging infrastructure.

“This time, it’s not just floods, but also landslides, and electricity and water supplies have been cut off. The situation is quite serious. That is why we have cancelled tomorrow’s Malaysia Day celebrations, as our priority is to help victims in the districts affected by this disaster,” he said.

Meanwhile, in Putatan, the Chief Minister also visited flood victims at PPS Dewan Seri Keramat in Ketiau, where he handed aid to 40 heads of households, before moving on to Dewan PPR Seri Serigai to meet 56 families housed there.

Hajiji also expressed his gratitude to the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) for providing RM10 million in disaster relief to Sabah.

This assistance, announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, is in addition to the RM11 million allocation provided by the state government to deal with the natural disasters affecting the people.

Earlier, Hajiji inspected a landslide along Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, opposite the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) at Tanjung Lipat.

He was accompanied on his ground visit by State Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Seri Christina Liew, State Secretary Datuk Seri Panglima Sr Haji Safar Untong, and Sabah Federal Secretary Datuk Mohd Razali Wahab.