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SANDAKAN: The villagers in Kampung Sungai Manjang, about 60km from here, are in need of a community hall that can function as a relief centre to accommodate flood victims during the north east monsoon season, said Libaran MP Datuk Zakaria Mohd Edris.

As such, he said the village head and the Village Development and Security Committee (JPKK) Chairman could discuss with the Sandakan Municipal Council on acquiring a suitable site for the construction of the community hall.

“Currently flood victims are housed at the Nur Iman Mosque in the village, but if the situation worsens and the mosque cannot accommodate more evacuees, the victims would be sheltered at Manjang Agriculture Office,” he told reporters after checking on the flood situation at the village. Also present were Sandakan Municipal Council (SMC) President Benedict Asmat, his deputy Faridah Giau, Malaysian Civil Defense Force (APM) Sandakan Officer Captain Abdullah Sabaruddin, Sandakan Fire and Rescue Station Chief Jimmy Lagung and representatives from the Sandakan Welfare Department.

“The village has a population of 620 and 145 people have been affected by the floods since Saturday. “Right now, 60 victims are at the mosque and efforts are being made to rescue others who are still stranded,” he added.

Kampung Manjang Village Chief Luloh Puyung said he had requested Zakaria to build a hall or a longhouse to accommodate the flood victims.

Meanwhile, a victim, Sarina Mijar, 60, said she and her husband, Apong Atang, 70, were trapped in their house when floodwaters began rising rapidly on Saturday.

Thankfully, she said, a neighbour came to give her a lift in their boat on Sunday, while her husband was rescued by Civil Defence Force (APM) members.