By social activist Remy Majangkim
KOTA KINABALU: Recently, a new phenomenon has emerged in Penampang, where flash floods are inundating areas that should typically be considered safe from flooding. A private citizen conducted an inspection, which went viral on social media, revealing two major issues affecting the area.
1) The debris and sediment inside the drain have not been cleared.
2) The drain’s size was insufficient to handle the recent heavy rain.
The issues primarily stem from maintenance and engineering problems, both of which fall under the jurisdiction of the Penampang District Council (Majlis Daerah Penampang).
Datuk Darrell Lieking, Vice President of Warisan, demanded that the Penampang District Council publicly disclose the maintenance contractor responsible for the work.
At the same time, Datuk Ceasar Malakun criticised him for suddenly acting like an expert, pointing out that he had failed miserably to address the issue during his time in government from 2018 to 2020.
In the early 1990s, before the construction of the monsoon drain and Jalan Lintas KK highway, Lido and its surrounding areas experienced constant flooding.
After its completion, the water subsided sufficiently, and no flooding occurred, as the water flowed through the monsoon drain (Juta) towards the sea.
Over the years, the population in Penampang increased exponentially, and development followed on the land that used to be paddy fields.
This development was not monitored efficiently, leading to haphazard planning that affected the people and their properties.
At that time, Penampang did not have building by-laws, which allowed developers to operate without restrictions. The MDP approved the plans without conducting adequate due diligence, leading to allegations of possible corruption.
Recently, the State decided to implement the Uniform Building By-laws 2022, providing clear guidance for development within the State.
~
Today, we find ourselves in a challenging situation that requires us to address the mistakes made by our predecessors. This would not be easy or quick, but it is necessary.
Compared to other town councils in another country, we fall short in both our maintenance practices and our mindset.
As residents of Penampang, we face the challenges of flooding and the recent threat of flash floods.
Together, we strive for both immediate and lasting solutions to this important issue. It is vital for politicians from all sides to unite in addressing this challenge.
