Sabah Electricity worker still missing after more than 20 hours

AFTER more than 20 hours of efforts, rescuers in Sabah are still searching for Masedeh Rosmin, a Sabah Electricity worker swept away by raging floodwaters in Keningau on the night of Sept 16.

The 30-something technical staff member was part of a three-man team sent to inspect transmission lines in Kampung Nuntunan, Apin-Apin.

At about 9.57pm, their four-wheel-drive vehicle attempted to cross a wooden bridge but was caught by the swollen current.

His two colleagues, aged 24 and 38, managed to scramble to safety. Masedeh was not so fortunate.

“He was spotted twice downstream, once in Sungai Kepayan and later in Sungai Baginda, but the current was too strong for us to reach him,” a rescuer said.

The Fire and Rescue Department shifted its command post to Kampung Kaladakan as the operation widened.

By late Wednesday afternoon, search teams had combed a 40-kilometre stretch of the Pagalan river system, with firefighters, soldiers, police and civil defence personnel braving swift waters and heavy rain.

The search was suspended at 5pm and will resume on Sept 18.

Meanwhile, Sabah Electricity said it was deeply saddened, calling Masedeh’s disappearance a sacrifice made in the line of duty.

 “We extend our condolences to the victim’s family. His sacrifice in carrying out his duty despite the bad weather must be appreciated,” said Christina Chin, president of the Sabah Electricity Engineers’ Union.

Workers’ Union president Asle Abdulli added: “Often, people complain about delays in restoring supply. What they do not realise is that our teams face unpredictable dangers in the field.”

The tragedy comes amid one of the deadliest bouts of flooding and landslides in recent years. According to the Civil Defence Force, 13 people have been killed and 2,978 displaced across seven districts, with 27 evacuation centres now open. - September 17, 2025