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DEPUTY Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has urged all relevant authorities and residents in eastern Sabah to be fully prepared for the possibility of a wind surge hitting Sandakan and Lahad Datu within the next two to three days.
"This is not to cause panic, but for preparedness. When evacuation orders are issued, follow them and bring important identification documents," said Zahid, who also chairs the Central Disaster Management Committee.
He issued the warning after visiting several temporary evacuation centres (PPS) in Putatan, including the PPS at the People's Housing Programme (PPR) Taman Sri Keramat.
"We thank the State and District Disaster Committees, all agencies and departments involved, especially NADMA (the National Disaster Management Agency). What’s most important is our level of preparedness, because we fear that in the next few days, the wind surge may move towards Sandakan and Lahad Datu."
He was accompanied during the visit by Sabah State Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong, who also chairs the Sabah State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN), and Kinabatangan MP Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.
Earlier in the evening, Zahid received a briefing from Safar upon arriving at Kota Kinabalu International Airport, before visiting other PPS locations in Putatan, including SMK Petagas, PPS Seringai, and PPS Meruntum.
Zahid, who is also Minister of Rural and Regional Development, said his ministry is currently reviewing a list of houses damaged by floods and landslides for potential rebuilding or repair assistance, based on data submitted by JPBN.
"MARA has also been asked to assist in rewiring homes that are still structurally intact so that electricity can be restored," he said.
He assured that government personnel and assets will be deployed to affected areas, including cleaning and support operations.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is also expected to visit Sabah soon, possibly stopping in Penampang to meet victims and assess the situation on the ground.
"I’ve visited three districts today and will return again on Saturday to coordinate efforts in other affected areas, especially where clean-up operations are urgently needed," Zahid added.
Coordination includes the provision of water jets and water tankers for cleaning efforts, in collaboration with non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Zahid expressed satisfaction with the coordination efforts made by the disaster management committees at both state and district levels in assisting evacuees.
On the matter of damaged bridges, he confirmed that reports have been received—particularly concerning vital daily-use structures.
"We will work with the Public Works Department and the Malaysian Armed Forces to expedite repairs. Temporary bridges will be built while assessments for permanent replacements are carried out."
Zahid landed in Kota Kinabalu at 7.40pm before heading directly to the PPS sites. His itinerary includes visits to disaster-hit areas in Papar tomorrow, beginning with PPS Kampung Mook and the landslide site in the same village, where two lives were lost.
He will also visit PPS Dewan Marahang and the landslide site in Kampung Marahang, where three people were killed. In addition, he will assess the collapsed Kampung Sungai Kaiduan Bridge, which was washed away during recent floods. A Bailey modular steel bridge has been ordered to replace the structure.
As of this afternoon, 2,919 flood victims from 814 families have been relocated to 25 temporary shelters and one permanent shelter in Selagon, Beaufort—up slightly from the morning’s figure of 2,897 people.
Landslides in Sabah have claimed 13 lives so far.
On Monday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim approved an immediate RM10 million allocation via NADMA for flood victims in Sabah. This is in addition to the RM11 million already disbursed through the state government for emergency repairs to basic infrastructure. - September 18, 2025
