Current monsoon effects more serious: Armizan
Published on: Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Armizan accompanied by Sandakan MP Vivian Wong visiting Kg Forest which was hit by king tide.
SANDAKAN: The effects of the current Northeast Monsoon season seem to be more serious than the last occurrence, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions) Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.According to him, this was because the number of victims evacuated due to the natural disasters caused by the Northeast Monsoon has now reached 121,864 people or 67 per cent of the total affected residents within a month compared to the last season.
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“The National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) is conducting 24-hour monitoring during this Northeast Monsoon season period which starts in November and is expected to last until March next year,” he told reporters after visiting Kampung Forest here which was affected by the king tide phenomenon on Saturday (Dec 24).
As for Sabah, Armizan said although the weather forecast for the second monsoon surge was expected to end Tuesday, the Meteorological Department has issued an alert-level weather warning until Dec 31.
On the king tide phenomenon in the State, he expressed his appreciation to the departments and agencies involved in rescue operations.
Armizan said the Government will look into the recommendations and suggestions of district disaster management committees, especially in Sandakan, on whether houses in Kampung Forest were safe for residents to occupy.
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He said 705 people from 126 families placed at the relief centre at Sekolah Kebangsaan Sungai Anib 2, were made homeless after waves struck their houses in the water village during a king tide.
Armizan said among the proposed temporary solutions was to place all the victims at the relief centre for a longer period.
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Last Saturday night, some 70 houses in Kampung Forest collapsed after being struck by a king tide, followed by another 38 houses the following day.
The Sandakan District Police Chief was reported to have said that two other houses also collapsed at about 1am Tuesday due to the phenomenon.
Meanwhile, Heads of Household (KIR) of victims in Kg Forest would receive monetary assistance (BWI) of RM1,000 immediately.
Azmizan said it would be channelled through the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) soon as they received detailed information from the District Disaster Management Committee (JPBD) for the amount KIR involved in the disaster.
The aid would be channelled to KIR local citizens in line with the public funds to be channelled later.
"This BWI is also one of four aids the government distributes through Nadma to victims of natural or related disasters in this country," he said.
"The other three grants are RM10,000 in courtesy money, RM5,000 in home improvement projects and RM2,500 worth of special items," he said.
“The post-disaster assistance provided and can be considered by Nadma also follows cases other than the status of the disaster and the victims involved.
"Therefore, related procedures need to be in place and what is important is that the data review from the disaster management committee at the district level is given to the Nadma for further reference and the delivery of the aid is expedited to help the victims," he said.
This is in line with the instructions and commitment from the country's highest leadership, the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister 1 as the chairman of the central level disaster committee ensure aids are immediately given to victims involved in such disasters.
Also present were heads, officers, and members of departments from agencies involved such as the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department, the Malaysian Civil Defense Force, and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency among others.
Regarding assistance to non-citizens, among the humanitarian assistance provided was through cooperation with non-governmental organisations or volunteers who have helped all the victims since the incident occurred.
Armizan left it to the discretion of the district disaster management committee to determine the duration of the victim's placement in the PPS, taking into account the needs of the victim.
As of Tuesday, a total of 709 victims took refuge in the PPS involving 127 families. As many as 110 houses were reported destroyed in the incident.
As of Dec. 27, some 121,864 victims have been transferred to PPS across the country as a result of the disaster. He advised the public to be aware of the current weather conditions, including the tide phenomenon that was expected until December 31.
"Continue to obey the instructions of the disaster management committee and the district-level disaster operation control centre from time to time for the sake of common safety," he explained.
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