KENINGAU: An estimated RM20 million is required to repair the extensive damage to public infrastructure caused by the recent floods in the district.
Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said the damage includes roads, bridges and other essential facilities.
He said the estimate also covers the cost of reinforcing riverbank erosion in Kampung Gasabon, Kampung Lingggawon and Kampung Minansut.
Dr Jeffrey, who is also State Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister, urged all relevant departments and concessionaires to take the necessary actions.
The Keningau Member of Parliament and Tambunan Assemblyman emphasised that repairing the damage will not be an easy task, as it requires time.
He said restoring three of the most critically affected slopes along the Keningau-Kimanis-Kota Kinabalu road will take a considerable amount of time.
“Additionally, repairing damaged bridges, such as those in Kampung Senagang and Tuarid, will also be a lengthy process,” he added.
As such, he urged affected residents to remain patient and cooperate with the relevant departments in restoring the damaged infrastructure.
"Do not make baseless assumptions or accusations and spread misinformation on social media as if the Government is not taking action," he said during a working visit to several flood-affected areas here.
During the visit, Dr Jeffrey, accompanied by department heads, inspected maintenance work on landslides along the Keningau-Kimanis road and the damaged bridge in Kampung Senagang Lama, both of which were affected by the recent floods.
Earlier, he and his delegation also visited riverbank erosion sites in Kampung Gasabon, Kampung Lingggawon and Kampung Minansut in Bingkor, which were also impacted by the floods.
Dr Jeffrey also distributed food aid baskets to 40 heads of households (KIRs) in Kampung Senagang Laut and Kampung Senagang Lama.