Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called for immediate efforts to channel aid to flood and landslide victims in Sabah and for damaged infrastructure to be repaired without going through the usual process.
Anwar, who is also the finance minister, placed priority on repairs to damaged buildings and road infrastructure caused by the disasters, including the construction of a new building at the Gaya teacher education institute campus, which was affected by a landslide, Bernama reported.
“I don’t want us to follow the normal process because these floods and the resulting damage are not ordinary occurrences. If we follow the usual procedures, it will take too long to complete the access road.
“As such, I have instructed that the process be expedited,” he told reporters after visiting the site of the landside at the teaching institute with Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor.
Anwar also visited other areas affected by the flood and landslides in Penampang and Kota Kinabalu.
The landslide, which occurred on Monday, forced the evacuation of more than 30 homes as a precautionary measure. According to the Sabah disaster management committee, a total of 2,256 people from 710 families are currently housed at evacuation centres.
The landslide claimed 13 lives, while one person died in the floods.
