Anwar: Federal, state governments to coordinate Sabah’s recovery after floods, landslides

PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has given his assurance to Sabahans that the federal government will not leave the state to shoulder the burden of rebuilding alone.

He said that Putrajaya and the state administration will decide together how the costs of recovery are to be shared.

Anwar said the federal government had already released RM10 million in emergency aid but noted that the full extent of damage from the recent floods and landslides may require more.

“The state government has acted quickly, and as you know, even when I was in Doha, I instructed the federal machinery to step in, including the initial RM10 million allocation. 

“But now we can see there are further needs that will require much more,” he told reporters during his visit to Kota Kinabalu.

Anwar earlier visited the affected areas, including a landslide site in Country Heights, the SK St Paul evacuation centre in Kolopis, and the PPS in Kampung Sarapung in Penampang before visiting the Gaya Teachers' College in Kota Kinabalu.

Also present was Sabah chief minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

He stressed that coordination between state and federal agencies would be critical. 

“We will decide together which costs will be borne by Putrajaya and which by the state,” he said.

Anwar said short-term support such as food, shelter and cash assistance had already reached victims, with some families receiving RM20,000 and others RM2,000, but he emphasised that long-term priorities must include infrastructure.

“After the immediate flood response, helping families with food, housing and placement, we must also deal with infrastructure. 

“Roads and facilities like the teacher training institute here must be a priority,” he said.

The Institut Pendidikan Guru (IPG) Gaya campus, one of the hardest-hit facilities, will undergo an urgent review. 

“The Education Ministry has tabled an initial report. We will wait for a final assessment, and if it cannot be rebuilt here, we will find another site,” Anwar said.

Anwar underscored the need to cut through red tape. 

“This is not the normal process. If we do it the usual way, it will take far too long. That is why I have asked that everything be expedited,” he said.

He added that Sabah’s recovery plan should not be confined to financial payouts.

“The important thing is not just the cash, it is housing, basic necessities and school materials for their children.”

The prime minister also paid tribute to responders on the ground. 

“I want to thank all the federal and state agencies for their commitment. The people I met said they were proud of the sacrifices of staff — including those from the electricity and energy sectors — who have worked tirelessly to ease the burden of the people.”

At least 2,256 people from 710 families remain in shelters across Beaufort, Penampang, Membakut, Papar and Sipitang.

Authorities are operating 16 evacuation centres after days of floods and landslides that killed 13 people.

Membakut recorded the highest evacuees at 970, followed by Penampang (530), Beaufort (256), Papar (253) and Sipitang (247). - September 19, 2025