Penampang MP Darell Leiking has pressed the government to explain if the overflowing of the Babagon Dam had worsened the floods in his constituency.

“We want...a clear explanation from the authorities on whether the overflowing from the Babagon Dam or any release of excess water from the dam had, in fact, added to one of the worst floods ever in Penampang District,” he said in a statement.

Penampang was hit badly on Tuesday following continuous rain for three days.

The flood is reported to affect 100,000 people from 70 villages and has claimed one life.

It is alleged that the flood situation intensified after overflowing water from the Babagon Dam caused a rapid rise in flood levels.

Leiking said according to feedback he received from the villagers of Kampung Kituau, Limbanak, Penampang Proper, Kambau, Babah and Hungab, as well as a report from a retired engineer, the overflowing of the Babagon Dam was among the main reasons behind the flood situation worsening rapidly.

“The news article published in Daily Express on Oct 9 which quoted a retired engineer on what might have happened is indeed a call for a clearer clarification from the authorities so that all concerns will be answered.”

Alarm could not help

Due to the force of the water, Leiking claimed that villagers were helpless, even if the alarms were raised.

“There may have been warning sirens but all were beyond help as the water flow, with its sheer strength of brute force, were overbearing.

"It was way too short a time for those affected to evacuate their belongings with many (things) lost, including important documents.”

The PKR parliamentarian, whose own house was affected in the floods, deemed the government to give clarity on this issue before proceeding to implement the Moyog and Kibabaig Flood Mitigation Projects.

“It is imperative that the government as the trustee of the taxpayer’s monies must immediately implement the Moyog and Kibabaig Flood Mitigation Projects without any further delay.

“However, prior to the actual commencement and completion of both projects, I believe that the people of Penampang must also be informed/educated about the threat posed by any overflowing at the Babagon Dam,” Leiking said.

'Declare emergency in Penampang'

Leiking pressed the government to declare any major flooding in Penampang to be a “district-level natural disaster emergency”. 

He urged the authorities to increase the allocation for natural disaster relief in the district, as well as set up a contingency fund to assist those affected in Penampang immediately.

He also alleged that rampant forest clearance, haphazard development, and high tide, as well as bad maintenance of drains meant that existing drainage system could not keep up with the high volume of water.