THERE are three top Umno leaders from Kota Belud but none of them had gone to the aid of their constituents since the flood hit, Sabah Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Christina Liew said.

She said such leaders should be sacked as this would be best action taken if Sabah PH had formed the Sabah government.

“It is ridiculous that none of the leaders would come to the aid of flood victims.

“The national Umno treasurer (Salleh Said Keruak) is from Kota Belud, the Umno Kota Belud MP (Rahman Dahlan) is from Kota Belud and even the Dewan Rakyat speaker (Pandikar Amin Mulia) is from Kota Belud.

“But has anyone seen them going to the ground when the district was hit by floods or doing anything to help their constituents? As far as I know, nothing.

“If Sabah PH is the government, we will sack any of our elected representatives if I don’t see them on the ground,” he told reporters in Kota Kinabalu, today.

There are 1,685 people presently staying in six evacuation centres in Kota Belud after 17 villages were flooded since heavy rain started about three days ago.

Several residents claimed water risen to five-foot in depth.

The State Government already mobilised all resources to assist victims on December 1, including relocating victims to shelters and providing food assistance.

Liew who is also the Sabah PKR chairman also questioned the delay on implementing flood mitigation projects worth RM70 million, saying residents need not endure constant flooding.

The allocation involved RM50 million for flood mitigation works in Sg Kadamaian approved under the Rolling Plan 2, which is now under value review, announced on November 20, 2017, while an additional RM20 million was allocated for projects for the Sg Gurong-gurong presently at bidding level.

Liew said the last flooding occurred in October, although The Malaysian Insight could trace reports of regular flooding in the area since the 2015 deadly earthquake.

“It is shameful and unacceptable that despite being listed as one of the four ‘rice bowls’ in the country, Kota Belud continues to be plagued by floods each time there’s a heavy downpour,” she said.

She also noted the deplorable treatment of victims in the evacuation centres that are “poorly managed” with instances of the food served arriving late.

Towards this end, Liew announced a RM10,000 contribution from Sabah PKR through its civil society group Society of Hope to purchase boats and food items.

She added Sabah PKR would also be organising a Chinese New Year fundraising event to replenish its funds and also for the benefit of the victims in Kota Belud in February next year.

“We also appeal to the public to assist the Kota Belud flood victims and welcome donation in the form of cash or kindness like rice, dry food and others,” said Liew, adding that the food can be sent to her office at Jalan Sang Kancil in Kota Kinabalu.

Sabah PKR Kota Belud chief Mustapha Sakmud said half of the allocation would be for the purchase of five boats to be used in Kota Belud and the rest to purchase food for the victims presently staying at the SMK Taun Gusi evacuation centre.

SMK Taun Gusi currently shelter some 441 victims from 221 families. – December 14, 2017.