PENAMPANG: The GRS government has been urged to deliver the promises to assist flood victims in Penampang during the massive flood of June 30, 2024.
In making the call, the coordinator of Parti Anak Negeri (PAN) for the west coast, Dr. Edwin Bosi, said he met a few flood victims who claimed that the government has failed to deliver what was promised.
According to one of the victims by the name of Edward, he recalled that in the aftermath of the flood, the government advised all those affected to register their names along with photos of their damaged homes and a promise of financial assistance for RM1000.00 per household. Sadly, until now they have not been contacted to receive the promised assistance.
Another victim Debra also gave the same account of the government’s promise. She said she went to Dewan Kebudayaan Penampang as instructed by the government.
She said she had registered for the aids but returned home empty-handed.
“I saw the food parcels, but they were not given to me. The financial aid for RM1000.00 was also not handed over to her,” Debra said.
She said she and the others have been abandoned and left to fend for themselves. She believes that after months of waiting, she believes that they will be conveniently forgotten.
Both Edward and Debra expressed their deep disappointment and frustration with the on-going neglect by the government for flood victims in Penampang.
They said they will not waste their time anymore with the government. Enough is enough, they cried.
They, however, gave credit to the many NGOs that came to provide victims with the basic necessities at the most critical moment.
Dr. Bosi, who is also Penampang PAN Divisional Chief, said past politicians who wanted to be elected, subsequently got elected, and became part of the government did not seriously follow up with their promises to resolve the problem.
There will be more floods affecting the people in Penampang and more miseries unless the flood mitigation project is completed as soon as possible.
Seriously, I do not see the completion of the flood mitigation project any sooner, Dr. Bosi said.
In anticipation of more flooding, I am recommending to the government to build many “Perumahan Rakyat” in Penampang and give them to all those affected by the flood. This will be a temporary relief while waiting for the flood mitigation project to be completed.
