By Mohd Khairy Abdullah @ DG Henry
PENAMPANG (Sabah, Malaysia) 16 Sept, Sabah: Within less than 24 hours, Datuk Ewon Benedick demonstrated that genuine leadership knows no boundaries of time or place. After personally surveying the impact of floods in Kadamaian, Kota Belud yesterday, he promptly traveled to Penampang today to witness the conditions of the victims, feel their hardships, and ensure that aid reaches those affected.
In Kadamaian, Ewon, who is also the State Assemblyman for the area, braved flooded roads to meet residents in Kampung Pangi, Kampung Pituru, and Kampung Pompod. He personally heard the grievances of villagers cut off from the main routes, with even large vehicles at risk of being unable to pass if water levels rise further.
Together with the Kota Belud District Disaster Management Committee, he ensured that food and drinking water were delivered to affected villages, while voluntary contributions from four-wheel-drive clubs and concerned individuals were facilitated to reach those in need.
Today in Penampang, the same concern was evident. As the Member of Parliament for Penampang, Ewon visited Temporary Evacuation Centres (PPS) at Dewan Sacred Heart Inobong and Kampung Ramayah, now hosting more than 295 flood victims from five villages.
He witnessed the Moyog River overflowing into residents’ homes, forcing them to evacuate. Early aid including food, drinks, and mattresses had been delivered, but the main road to PPS Kg Ramayah remained flooded, hampering the delivery of cooked meals. The evacuees took initiative to cook raw supplies themselves — a testament to the resilience of a community under duress.
“Alternative routes via Jalan Divato Tomui and Jalan Guunsing are also flooded but still passable,” Ewon said, emphasizing that he remains in constant contact with village committee chairpersons to monitor developments and ensure no family is left without assistance.
Moreover, Ewon announced that the Kadamaian Assembly Service Centre will provide additional food baskets to complement official aid. This reflects a holistic approach in crisis management, guided not just by political mandate but by the conscience of a leader attuned to the pulse of his people.
His consistent presence — yesterday in Kota Belud, today in Penampang — paints a portrait of extraordinary leadership that prioritizes humanity over protocol. In the midst of disaster, Ewon Benedick stands out not merely as a minister or representative, but as a people-oriented leader present beside those in urgent need.
