KOTA KINABALU: The floods that affected several districts in Sabah from late last year to Feb 18 this year had caused damages to the infrastructure, valued at an estimated RM97.44 million, said Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.
Replying to Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin (PKR-Klias), Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan (STAR-Bingkor), Dr Edwin Bosi (DAP-Kapayan) and Datuk Samsudin Yahya (BN-Sekong), he said, out of the total amount, the preliminary estimation of RM39,946,710 was incurred in Beaufort, Keningau, Tenom and Nabawan and the rest in other districts that were also hit by rain and floods.
He said the Works Department, Sabah state Railway Department and district offices reported that the damages incurred had included roads, slopes, bridges, infrastructure, railway facilities as well as public amenities such as hanging bridges and community halls.
“The farmers, livestock breeders and fishermen also incurred losses due to damage to crops, loss and death of livestock. According to the Sabah Veterinary Services and Animal Industry Department the damages and losses were estimated at about RM16,265,255,” he told the state legislative assembly sitting here today.
On steps taken by the government to ensure the safety and welfare of the 11,032 flood victims, including 5,257, who were moved to the flood evacuation centres, Musa said it had channelled various aids to the affected victims.
He said the aid for rescuing and evacuating victims were done by the relevant government agencies while those at the evacuation centres were provided with basis facilities such as mats, blankets, cooked food supply and medical care.
Upon the state government’s request, Musa said the National Security Council had deployed assets and logistics from the Fifth Brigade base in Lok Kawi like mobile kitchen and 100 military personnel, including military medical doctors to assist the other agencies to face the floods.
“The expenditure for the affected districts is RM2,352,257.50 while the disbursement of the Ihsan Bencana aid of RM500 for each family head had been and being managed by the federal government through the council,” he said.
He said the overall federal allocation for flood victims in Sabah during the monsoon season this year was RM902,000, which was distributed to flood victims in the Kota Belud, Nabawan and Keningau districts.
Similar disbursement would be held in the Tenom and Beaufort districts soon, he said. — Bernama