PENAMPANG, Sept 19 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim visited several areas here and in Kota Kinabalu today, which were affected by recent floods and landslides that have claimed 14 lives and displaced thousands.
Accompanied by Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, he arrived at Country Heights at 2.55pm and spent half an hour surveying the landslide site and meeting with residents affected by the disaster.
The landslide, which occurred on Monday (September 15), forced the evacuation of over 30 homes as a precautionary measure.
At 3.25pm, Anwar proceeded to the temporary relief centre (PPS) at SMK St. Paul Kolopis, where he was welcomed by Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick, who is also Penampang MP.
He spent 15 minutes there, interacting with evacuees before heading to the PPS in Kampung Sarapung, where he spent another half hour meeting residents and receiving a briefing on the landslide incident in the area on Friday (September 12), which claimed the life of a 97-year-old man.
Anwar later visited another landslide site at the Gaya Teacher Education Institute (IPG) campus in Kota Kinabalu at 4.30pm and spent half an hour inspecting the damage.
The Prime Minister's empathy was evident as he personally asked residents about their needs and listened to their concerns, including health-related issues. His recurring assurance to victims was simple: “Do not worry, we are doing everything we can to help all of you.”
According to the Sabah State Disaster Management Committee, 2,256 individuals from 710 families are currently housed at evacuation centres. To date, landslides in the state have claimed 13 lives, while one person has died due to flooding.
Frankie Dahing, 60, said he was touched by Anwar’s presence and concern.
“We are truly grateful for the government’s concern, especially the Prime Minister’s. His visit and the aid provided have definitely eased our burden,” said the Kampung Kolopis resident, who has been taking shelter at the SMK St. Paul Kolopis PPS since Tuesday (September 16).
Lorina Giliti, 32, from Kampung Kambazan, said meeting Anwar for the first time was a moving experience.
“We are so thankful for the help provided, but what touched us the most was that the Prime Minister himself came to see us. I am grateful I had the chance to shake his hand,” she said.
Amber Isaac, 25, from Kampung Sarapung, also shared her appreciation for the Prime Minister’s visit to one of the hardest-hit areas.
“Our village was among the worst affected. The main road was blocked by landslides for up to three kilometres. Yet the Prime Minister made the effort to come all the way here.
"It means a lot. This is the kind of leader we truly admire,” she said.
