Remembering with Gratitude: A Miracle Beneath the Rubble

19 February 2026

KOTA KINABALU: On the evening of 13 September 2025, during a period of relentless heavy rain, disaster struck a home in Kampung Kopungit.

At around 8pm, a sudden landslide tore through the area, burying one house completely beneath soil, timber and debris. Inside were a mother and her 15-year-old Daughter.

What followed was a terrifying ordeal that neither of them will ever forget, said victim Mollyna Azlinah Antutu.

“We heard a loud bang,” she recalled. “It happened so suddenly. In less than a minute, everything collapsed. There was no time to run.”

The landslide came down with tremendous force, crushing the house and trapping them beneath the wreckage. Timber beams, zinc sheets and soil engulfed the structure. It was, by all appearances, a total loss.

“We could only hold each other,” she said. “At that moment, I just surrendered to God. I thought perhaps that was the end for us.”

Yet in the midst of devastation, what she describes as a miracle occurred. Despite the weight of the debris, she felt no severe pain. A piece of Zinc lay above her head but did not press down completely. Somehow, space remained.

“I pushed and felt as though things were being made easier for us,” she said. “There was a strength I cannot explain.”

Realising her daughter was still beneath her, she urged her to move. In the cramped, suffocating space, with torn clothes and mud all around, they struggled but eventually managed to free themselves. Against all odds, they emerged with only minor injuries.

“When we looked back at the house, we couldn’t believe we were still alive,” she said. “From above, there seemed no hope of survival.”

Soaked by the continuing rain and unaware that her clothes were badly torn, she made her way to a neighbour’s house to seek help. As news spread, neighbours rushed out to assist. That same night, they received medical checks. Thankfully, there were no fractures, only bruises and shock.

The trauma, however, lingered for days.

"With our home destroyed and all belongings buried, we were given temporary shelter at Dewan Kopungit."

Conditions were basic and cramped, with limited facilities, but they were grateful for the support. Assistance came swiftly from government agencies, non-governmental organisations and members of the public. Blankets, daily necessities and other essentials were provided, some arriving on the very night of the disaster.

Among those who stepped forward was Datuk Eliza Goh, Founder of Zara's Boutique Hotel. She, having seen news coverage of the landslide, reached out to offer help. She arranged temporary accommodation at her hotel, where the mother and child stayed for several weeks while awaiting longer-term arrangements. She also assisted with expenses to ease their immediate burden.

“It truly feels like a miracle,” Mollyna reflected. “I believe God has given my daughter and I, a second chance.”

Fortunately, even before the incident, she had applied for a PPR home, and her application had already been approved. About a month after the landslide, they were able to move into the new house at PPR Kionsom. While it was not compensation for the destroyed property, it provided much-needed stability as they began rebuilding their lives.

For now, she is starting over from scratch. Financially, it is not easy. Nevertheless, gratitude outweighs hardship.

“Many kind-hearted people like Datuk Eliza helped us,” she said. “We survived. That is what matters most.”

From beneath the rubble of what seemed certain tragedy, a mother and child emerged with their lives, and with renewed faith, resilience and hope for the future.