Media Statement, 1 January 2026 Kota Kinabalu: Parti Warisan today called on the Sabah State Government to
immediately declare flooding as Sabah’s Number One menace, warning
that continued inaction has turned the State into a symbol of
governance failure.
Speaking on
behalf of the party, the Strategic Communication Director of Parti
Warisan, Christopher Masudal said the incessant flooding in the State
and particularly Penampang is no longer natural or unavoidable, but
the result of systemic neglect, poor maintenance, and lack of
political urgency.
"Every time
the rain falls heavily, the people of Penampang brace themselves not
because they are paranoid, but because experience has taught them
that their town will flood within minutes.
Homes are
damaged, shops are forced to close, vehicles stall in long jam,
parents panic and workers are stranded. And when the water finally
recedes, so does accountability.
Flooding in
Penampang happens within minutes every time it rains heavily. This is
not normal but failure.
Those in power
cannot keep blaming high tides, monsoons, or typhoons from the
Philippines for Sabah’s flooding. Being in office means taking
responsibility to plan for climate change impacts — not showing up
only for photo opportunities after the damage is done,” he stated
in a statement today.
According to
Masudal, residents and businesses in Penampang continue to suffer
losses due to recurring flash floods affecting major roads, including
Roundabout Sigah, Jalan Minintod, Jalan Bundusan, Jalan Kolopis,
Jalan Sugud and commercial and residential areas around Donggongon
and Bundusan
“These roads
do not flood after hours of rain. They flood in minutes. That tells
us one thing — the drainage system is failing at a basic level.
Even Jalan
Dakata, the main access road to St Joseph Primary School, floods
after just half an hour of morning rain. Parents with smaller cars
are left with no choice but to turn back, send their children late,
or miss school entirely. This is not a one-off incident — it
happens several times every year,” he added.
Masudal
questioned whether clogged curb inlets, poorly maintained roadside
drains, and silted waterways are being allowed to persist unchecked.
“If curb
inlets are blocked, who is responsible for cleaning them? If drains
are overflowing, are they maintained at all? Flooding caused by
clogged drains is not an act of God — it is administrative
negligence,” he said.
He also demanded
transparency and urgency regarding the Moyog River Flood Mitigation
Project, which was meant to be a long-term solution for Penampang.
"What is
the actual scope of work, total funding allocated, amount already
spent, current status and causes of delay of this project? Can the
details be made accessible online to public especially
Penampang-based NGOs and monitoring groups?
Anyone who takes
a walk along the river can clearly see Napier grass and small trees
growing unchecked along the riverbanks, steadily narrowing the river
year after year. This does not resemble an active flood mitigation
project to me — it looks far more like an abandoned one.
Flood mitigation
projects must be treated as emergency infrastructure, not political
announcements recycled during election seasons," he said.
He also
highlighted the need for Kapayan to upgrade the monsoon drains that
were built in the 1980s and 1990s that cannot cater the need for
today's population and development.
“Those drains
were designed for a different era, a different climate, and far less
urban density. Climate change has rendered them obsolete.
We must pursue
the upgrading of these drainage system at Kapayan aggressively within
the federal level through annual Federal Budget more so when the
total revenue of Sabah's oil and gas from 2018 to 2024 received by
the Federal Government amounts to RM200 billion.
If other
political parties who claimed to prioritize Sabah interests are
reluctant to pursue this aggressively, then Warisan will do it —
because flood mitigation is a priority for us, not an afterthought,"
he stressed.
Masudal also
raised his concern over slope stability and soil conditions along
Jalan Penampang–Tambunan, warning that continuous rainfall combined
with saturated soil poses a risk.
“It had been
raining for almost a month now and did the authorities conducted
proper soil and slope inspections along this road? I hope so.
Periodic
inspections should be held by the authorities to assess soil
integrity and slope safety along high-risk corridors during monsoon
season not only to alert road-users but also to make immediate
intervention before landslide occurs," he said.
“While my
statement may refers only to Penampang, as the Strategic
Communication Director for Warisan, I am also refering to other
districts such as Bongawan, Membakut, Sipitang, Kota Marudu and other
district as well that are facing incessant flooding hence the reason
why it must be made the number one menace of the state.
People are tired
of excuses. They are tired of announcements without outcomes. They
are angry because flooding keeps happening, while leadership appears
ineffective,” he concluded.
