PENAMPANG (Sabah, Malaysia), Sept 13 – Penampang MP Datuk Ewon Benedick inspected flood and landslide damage in several villages in the district, announcing immediate measures including relief distribution, additional evacuation centres and new flood mitigation proposals.
Ewon, who is also Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, visited landslide-hit areas along Jalan Penampang–Tambunan, Kampung Dungkahang and Kampung Penampang Proper, as well as evacuation centres at Dewan Huguan Siou Tuavon and the Penampang Sports Complex.
A separate inspection in Kampung Pogunon was led by Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, joined by Public Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya and Kapayan assemblywoman Datuk Jannie Lasimbang. Eight landslide sites were reported along Jalan Penampang–Tambunan, with only one lane temporarily open to motorists.
“The Chief Minister has instructed JKR, concessionaire Lintasan Resources and Sabah Electricity to carry out immediate restoration. I believe the water supply disruption in several villages will also be resolved soon,” Ewon said.
He said the Penampang parliamentary service centre team had been mobilised since yesterday to distribute food baskets, clear mud from floods and finance machinery for debris removal. Water pumps were also handed over to the village committees of Kampung Dungkahang, Kampung Penampang Proper and Kampung Tuavon.
According to Ewon, unlike before when only the Sabah Cultural Centre Hall was designated as an evacuation centre, 21 public and community buildings in Penampang can now be gazetted for such use in the event of a major disaster.
He added that he had informed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim of the disaster during the MA63 Implementation Action Council meeting in Kuching yesterday, and suggested that the Rumah Mesra SMJ housing allocation be used to rebuild or repair badly damaged homes.
Ewon also proposed to Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister that the Penampang flood mitigation project packages 2 and 4 be expedited, complementing packages 1 and 3 currently underway.
At the same time, he discussed with State Disaster Management Committee coordinator Datuk Awang Shahminan Awang Sahari the disbursement of emergency aid to flood victims at evacuation centres.
