KOTA BELUD: Residents of Kampung Pompod, Kampung Pangi and Kampung Tobur received assistance worth more than RM80,000 involving the provision of boats and the construction of a new house through a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative involving the Kadamaian Assemblyman, the Malaysia Co-operative Societies Commission (SKM) and the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP).
Deputy Chief Minister III and Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport, Datuk Ewon Benedick, said the CSR assistance included three sampans contributed by the cooperative through SKM, as well as two boats equipped with engines provided by the Kadamaian State Assembly Office for Kampung Pompod and Kampung Pangi.
He said both villages are frequently affected by floods, making the facilities essential in supporting community efforts for evacuation operations and the delivery of aid during emergencies.
“With these sampans and boats, residents can be assisted more quickly, especially for emergency matters and the distribution of aid when floodwaters have yet to recede,” he said.
He said this when met by reporters after a brief CSR presentation ceremony held at the Kampung Pangi community hall on Sunday.
In addition to flood-related logistics assistance, Ewon, who is also the Kadamaian Assemblyman, said KKIP also contributed CSR support for the construction of a new house for a senior citizen with disabilities living alone in Kampung Tobur.
He said he had previously visited the elderly resident’s home together with the Kadamaian Community Development Leader Unit (UPPM) and found the existing house to be in a dilapidated condition.
“Following this, I requested KKIP to assist through their CSR programme. I hope the construction, which is expected to begin next week, will provide a more comfortable and safer home for him,” he said.
He also expressed appreciation to all parties involved, including the Kota Belud District Office, SKM, the cooperative movement, KKIP, the Fire and Rescue Department and the Royal Malaysia Police, for ensuring the assistance was delivered to the community.
Meanwhile, Ewon said he hopes all facilities provided will be properly maintained to ensure long-term benefit, particularly during the flood season.
“We do not want floods to occur, but when they do, these are the facilities that are greatly needed by the people in this area,” he said.
On long-term measures, he said the state government, through the Sabah Cabinet, has requested the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) to formulate solutions to address recurring flood issues in the area.
