Sabah to look into measures to prevent flooding

By Olivia Miwil - June 9, 2019 @ 5:07pm

Sabah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal with wife Datin Seri Shuryani Shuib handing out duit raya to the disable people during the state government’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house in Yayasan Sabah, Kota Kinabalu. - NSTP/EDMUND SAMUNTING.

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government will look into several measures to prevent flooding during the monsoon season.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said the state Disaster Committee would be calling all relevant agencies and volunteers to make necessary preparations so that rescue efforts, medical attention and food could be provided wherever it is needed.

He said when it comes to long-term flood mitigation, the relevant agencies need to focus on the high volume of water caused by rain during high tide.

He cited Likas as an example, which was previously hit by floods when it rained during high tide.

The area benefited from a flood mitigation project that helped contain excess water during simultaneous heavy rain and high tide.

“We carried out (the water containment barrier) for Likas at the cost of about RM5 million and solved the flooding issue.

“Instead of focusing (too much) on drainage, if we can use the money to contain water from coming in from the sea, that can help (with flood mitigation),” Shafie said during the state government’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house at Yayasan Sabah here today.

Yesterday, several areas in the west coast of Sabah were hit by flash floods following several hours of incessant heavy rain.

On another issue, Shafie said the government will assist the 33 families who were made homeless due to a fire at Karamunting in Sandakan yesterday.

Earlier, the chief minister said the annual open house received overwhelming response from the people, and this reflected the strong bonds among people of different backgrounds.

“It’s a good sign. With such good spirit, we hope unity among people will help develop the state,” he said.

Present were Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin, Deputy Chief Ministers Datuk Jaujan Sambakong, Datuk Seri Dr Wilfred Madius Tangau and Datuk Christina Liew, and state Cabinet ministers.