Kota kinabalu: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for immediate efforts to channel aid to flood and landslide victims in Sabah and expedite the repair of damaged infrastructure in the state. Anwar, who also holds the position of Finance Minister, emphasized the urgency of repairing building and road infrastructure affected by natural disasters in Sabah, bypassing the usual procedural delays.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Prime Minister's directive includes the construction of a new building at the Gaya Teacher Education Institute (IPG) campus, which was recently impacted by a landslide. Anwar stated the importance of not adhering to the standard process as the current situation demands immediate action. He expressed concerns that following the regular process would prolong the completion of essential access roads.
During his visit to the landslide site at the Gaya IPG campus with Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Anwar highlighted that the coordination between the Federal government and the Sabah government is crucial to ensure swift infrastructure repairs and aid distribution. He announced an immediate allocation of RM10 million through the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) for flood relief efforts in Sabah.
Anwar acknowledged the current support being provided to affected families in terms of food, drinks, and shelter but noted that additional funding would be necessary for long-term recovery. The total cost for infrastructure restoration is yet to be determined. He also expressed gratitude to the Federal and Sabah government agencies for their prompt response in evacuating flood victims and working towards restoring power supply to affected areas.
On the issue of the Gaya IPG campus, Anwar mentioned that Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek had presented an initial report to the Cabinet, and the government is awaiting a final engineering assessment to decide on redevelopment or relocation options.
The Sabah State Disaster Management Committee reported that 2,256 people from 710 families are currently housed in temporary relief centers. The landslides in the region have resulted in 13 fatalities, with an additional death attributed to flooding.