RM2.7 million in donations received so far
Published on: Tuesday, July 07, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: Last month's 5.9-magnitude earthquake should not be politicised by certain quarters who are bent on gaining political mileage out of the people's misery and suffering by pointing fingers and playing the blame game.Special Tasks Minister Datuk Teo Chee Kang said the June 5 earthquake had banded the people together, who during the time of such calamity, had chosen to stay true to the spirit of friendship by lending their expertise, energy and money to the victims and the people in Ranau as a whole."The government will consider the proposal to award those who contributed much especially those who took high risks just to help the victims. During this period, we found that all parties contributed in any way they could, whether they are security personnel, Sabah Parks staff and mountain guides," he said during the Question and Answer session at the State Legislative Assembly sitting here, Monday.
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It was a defining moment for the nation, said Teo when seeing all Sabahans, regardless of race and creed, step forward to help in any way they could and other state governments, several individuals and celebrities also chipped in to ensure that things will return to normal for Sabah and its people.Since the deadly earthquake which claimed 18 lives, a total of 104 aftershocks have been recorded with almost all of them felt in Ranau district."A total of RM2.7million in contributions were received from various sources and the funds will be managed through the State Natural Disaster Fund under the Chief Minister's Department."Up until now, RM421,000 have been allocated for the families and victims of the earthquake as well as natural disaster management in Ranau. The money will also be used to help villagers whose houses were damaged due to the earthquake," he said.
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Outlining the chronology of the event, Teo said the Fire and Rescue Department in Ranau was first notified of the earthquake immediately after it was felt at around 7.15am and was informed about people trapped on the mountain.Immediately afterwards, the relevant authorities including the police and Fire and Rescue Department set out to Kinabalu Park and set up the Disaster Control Operation Centre.
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On June 6, all 272 trapped climbers and guides as well as Sabah Parks workers were brought down from Laban Rata to Timpohon Gate by the rescue team and mountain guides and injured victims immediately flown to Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Gleneagles Hospital in Kota Kinabalu for treatment."Air Force helicopters brought the rescue team to the mountain to start search and rescue mission on June 6 and the operation went on until late evening that day. "Bodies of those who perished were sent to Kota Kinabalu where the Health Department and the police forensic unit were waiting to transport them to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital where post-mortem and body identification process were carried out."Meanwhile, the search and rescue operation continued until the last victims were identified on June 10," he said.Teo added that a total of 599 personnel were involved in the mission including police (101), Civil Defence Department (53), Task Force 450 (143), SMART team (16), Sabah Parks (80), Health Ministry (17), Rela (30), Fire and Rescue Department (53), Mountain Guides (89), Mountain Torq (5), Air Force (4), Malaysian Red Crescent Society (7) and one from the Meteorological Department.In terms of monetary contributions, the State government and the Federal government have each donated RM5,000 to the amount of RM10,000 to the six families of the Malaysian victims who died and RM2,000 (RM1,000 each) to the 113 survivors for the trauma as well as mountain guides who would have lost their source of income following the closure of the mountain.Mud floods almost immediately followed and struck Kg Mesilau in Ranau and Kota Belud on June 15 following heavy downpour in the mountain area, causing landslide. Strong current also fell several trees and collapsed riverbanks."The mud floods caused water supply interruption in Ranau on June 16 but quick reaction from the Water Department helped avoid disaster when it coordinated water distribution using 14 water tank lorries from various agencies and private sector to affected areas in Ranau especially in Ranau Hospital and Ranau Community Hall where many displaced families were staying," he said.The Kimolohing Water Treatment Plant resumed operation on June 18 while Ranau II Water Treatment Plant on June 23, restoring water supply to all parts of Ranau.During the disaster, a total of 807 victims from 195 families were moved to various community halls for their own safety and the government had channelled compassionate fund of RM500 to each family."All in all, the earthquake had caused infrastructure damages worth about RM94,800,000, damaging 61 buildings, 22 roads, a bridge and 22 slopes.Teo added that so far, 11 houses in Ranau and 3 in Kota Belud have been condemned as unsafe while 268 and 136 in Ranau and Kota Belud suffered minor damages.Meanwhile, he said several other contributions have also been handed directly to the Kinabalu Mountain Guide Association and relocation centres during the mud flood incident but the government had not yet been informed of the total amount of these contributions.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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