MEMORIES OF STORM GREG LINGER, RESIDENTS CALL FOR COMPREHENSIVE FLOOD MITIGATION IN KAMPUNG LIMBAWAN

By Muhammad Saufee Rosman

KENINGAU, Nov 17 (Bernama) -- Nestled just two kilometres from Keningau town, Bukit Kimanis offers a serene and captivating view of Kampung Limbawan, enchanting all who behold it.

Yet the hill also brings a sense of sorrow when dark clouds gather, a somber reminder of the devastating  Tropical Storm Greg on Dec 26, 1996, which claimed hundreds of lives.

Almost three decades after the disaster, which took more than 200 lives and left over 100 people missing, the tragedy remains vividly etched in the memories of residents, particularly those living near Sungai Pampang, one of the main flood routes during the storm.

For the people of Limbawan, located in the Liawan state constituency, the village is more than just a place to live. It is a cherished home that they are determined to protect, ensuring that future generations can thrive without the shadow of past trauma.

Reflecting on the disaster, Fledius Yuk Jim, now 40, recalls how deeply it affected him, even though he was only 11 at the time. He has never forgotten the terrifying sight of bodies scattered around as he and his family sought safety on higher ground.

“My whole family and I survived the disaster, but our house was badly damaged and became unsafe to live in after the mudslide.

“I remember the village was littered with logs, zinc sheets, and boards, some even taller than Dewan Kampung Limbawan,” he told Bernama.

Therefore, Fledius expressed hope that a more comprehensive flood mitigation project, along with an effective early warning system, could be implemented in Kampung Limbawan, giving residents enough time to act if heavy rain continued or water levels rose unexpectedly.

“We still remember what happened. Many of us have yet to recover from the trauma,” he said.

Echoing the same sentiment, Dan Joseph, 37, stressed that efforts to clean up Sungai Pampang, deepen sections of the river, and remove mud and debris blocking the water flow were crucial to ensure residents’ safety.

He recalled the tragedy as one of the most harrowing moments for his family and said he never wanted such a disaster to happen again in his home village.

“I was only eight years old. I was not in the village when it happened, but my parents were. When my uncle told me about the mudslide, I was terrified and worried I might lose them.

“But thankfully, they survived, and I was able to see my parents when they sought shelter at Dewan Masyarakat Keningau,” he said.

Dan said that, in addition to river maintenance, residents hoped the new bridge and road linking Kampung Limbawan to Keningau town, about one kilometre away, would be completed on schedule, by 2029 at the latest.

“Once the bridge and road are completed, it will make it much easier for villagers to move around, especially during emergencies,” he said.

Liawan, one of three state seats within the Keningau parliamentary constituency, will see a 10-cornered fight in the upcoming 17th Sabah State Election.

The Election Commission has set Nov 25 for early voting and Nov 29 as polling day.

For the latest news on the Sabah polls, visit the Bernama microsite at https://prn.bernama.com/sabah.

N41: LIAWAN: SABAH: 32,661 

1. Datuk Nik Mohd Nadzri Nik Zawawi    (BN-UMNO)

2. Yukilin Giging                                       (Rumpun)

3. Peter Paun                                           (KDM)

4. Datuk Anwar Ayuub @ Annuar Ayub    (GRS-Gagasan Rakyat)

5. Wilson Gan Poi Tzen                            (UPKO)

6. Johny @ John Anthony                        (PN-Bersatu)

7. Adzhar Jasni @ Eddy                           (Warisan)

8. Mustazarmie Mustapha                        (PPRS)

9. Augustine A Nain                                  (STAR)

10. Junadey Ejih @ Egih                          (PIS)

 (2020: Anwar Ayuub @ Annuar Ayub: PN-STAR: Majority: 641)

--BERNAMA