Floods and Landslides Overshadow Malaysia Day in Sabah, Spur Calls for Accountability

16 September 2025

KOTA KINABALU: As Malaysians commemorate the 62nd Malaysia Day today, celebrations in Sabah are overshadowed by the grief of devastating floods and landslides that have claimed lives and displaced communities across the state.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities lecturer Marja Azlima Omar said, while Malaysia Day traditionally highlights unity in diversity, respect for differences and shared progress, this year’s tragedy raises deeper questions about the meaning of freedom and nationhood.

“Just days before the celebration, 13 lives were lost due to landslides in four villages in Papar, Penampang and Kolombong. For many Sabahans, what was supposed to be a day of pride has become a moment of mourning and reflection,” she said in a statement on Tuesday.

Marja said floods and landslides are not new to Sabah and several other states, yet the frequency and intensity of such disasters point to a reality that they are not purely natural occurrences.

“Poor urban planning, deforestation, inadequate drainage systems and weak disaster preparedness all converge to turn heavy rains into humanitarian crises. These tragedies are, to a large extent, preventable,” she said.

According to her, Malaysia Day should not only be about remembrance, parades and speeches, but also about accountability in safeguarding the well-being of citizens.

“For ordinary Malaysians, freedom means more than political independence. It is the freedom to live without fear of preventable disasters, to enjoy safe housing and reliable infrastructure, and to trust that government at all levels will protect its people,” she added.

Marja also welcomed the swift announcement of RM10 million in immediate relief through the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, which she said reflected the nation’s empathy and commitment to the people of Sabah.

Marja stressed that Malaysia Day must be reclaimed as more than a ceremonial holiday, saying it should remind Malaysians of their collective responsibility to safeguard the nation’s future.

She said the occasion must also serve as a call to action to strengthen disaster preparedness, invest in resilient infrastructure, and ensure that no community is left behind.

The lessons from Sabah’s recent tragedy, she added, highlight the urgent need to address vulnerabilities that have long been overlooked.

“Policymakers must take these lessons seriously by tackling systemic weaknesses, while civil society must demand accountability and transparency in disaster management. Malaysians must extend solidarity, not only through words but through tangible support for affected communities,” she said.

She further stressed that blaming climate change alone would be insufficient, as environmental mismanagement by humans has also worsened the scale of disasters.

“In Sabah’s floods and landslides, Malaysia’s conscience is once again being tested. How we respond to prevent future calamities will determine whether Malaysia Day remains a true celebration of an independent nation or merely an annual reminder of promises unfulfilled,” Marja said.