PENAMPANG: Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has instructed that road repair works on the Penampang–Tambunan route, damaged by a landslide, be expedited.
He said the Sabah Public Works Department (PWD), concession companies and relevant agencies must deploy additional machinery and work around the clock to ensure the dual carriageway is reopened as soon as possible.
“The state government prioritises the safety of the people. We want these repair works completed quickly so that residents are not further affected,” he said after visiting the site at Kampung Pogunon here.
Hajiji inspected the landslide location immediately after returning from the MA63 Technical Committee meeting with the Prime Minister and the Sarawak Premier in Kuching yesterday.
Also present were Deputy Chief Minister III and Public Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya; Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister and Penampang MP Datuk Ewon Benedick; Kepayan assemblywoman Datuk Jannie Lasimbang; and Gagasan Rakyat Moyog Division Chief Datuk Ceasar Mandela Malakun.
As of noon, Sabah PWD reported that several sections along Jalan R500 Kota Kinabalu–Keningau–Tenom were still affected by floods and landslides, though most routes were passable with single-lane control while clearing works continued.
“I had the opportunity to inspect the collapsed road from the hillside. We are asking PWD and the concessionaire maintaining this road to take immediate action. We were assured that within one or two days, the two-way route could be restored.
“At the moment, only one lane is usable, but they will work round the clock,” he said.
Hajiji said he would instruct Sabah Electricity to restore damaged power lines and Sabah Water Department to ensure clean water supply is reinstated in affected areas.
All aid efforts will be coordinated by the State Disaster Management Committee.
Preliminary investigations found that the landslide was triggered by continuous heavy rainfall over three consecutive days. The highest recorded rainfall was 23.4 millimetres in 15 minutes and 82.5 millimetres in a day on Sept 11, causing slope failure and a major collapse.
Hajiji also expressed sadness and sympathy to the family of a 97-year-old victim who died after a house was buried in the landslide.
“The state government is very concerned about the plight of the victims’ families. I assure you that immediate aid will be channelled,” he added.
As of 8am today, 437 victims from 128 families were still housed at five temporary relief centres (PPS) in Beaufort, Penampang and Tawau.
In Beaufort, 154 victims from 53 families are at PPS Selagon.
In Penampang, 224 victims from 64 families are at three PPS: Penampang Sports Complex (39 people), SK St Paul Kolopis (43 people), and Dewan Huguan Siou (142 people).
In Tawau, 59 victims from 11 families are being sheltered at PPS Masjid Al-Aman following a fire.
In total, 23 villages were affected, with one fatality recorded.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
