KOTA KINABALU, 4 Jan — Sabah Deputy Chief Minister III and Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship, and Transportation, Datuk Ewon Benedick, has proposed that the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (Kuskop) continue implementing a loan repayment moratorium to assist entrepreneurs affected by disasters.

He said the move is in line with the state government’s efforts to ensure that micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) remain competitive despite facing unforeseen challenges.

“Previously, financing agencies under Kuskop implemented a policy of granting moratoriums or loan repayment flexibility, including payment deferments of up to a maximum of six months for affected entrepreneurs.

“In this regard, I will seek confirmation from Kuskop on whether this policy is still ongoing or otherwise,” he said in a statement today.

Ewon added that his ministry would also propose to Kuskop that the joint committee established previously be maintained to ensure the coordination of entrepreneurship development is implemented more effectively.

He noted that the establishment of the committee is vital not only for coordinating entrepreneur development programs but also for addressing issues related to calamities and disasters that directly impact business continuity. — Bernama

MIRI, Jan 4 — The prolonged heavy rainfall over the past few days triggered a landslide that blocked the main access into Kampung Danau, Bekenu here today.

A team of firefighters from the Batu Niah Fire and Rescue Station (BBP Batu Niah) was despatched to the location after receiving a call from concerned residents at 4.52am.

According to a Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) operations control centre report, the continuous heavy rain in the area caused a landslide from a hill that resulted in a 30-foot-high obstruction.

“The despatched team conducted an initial size-up and proceeded to install safety barriers at the affected area and inform the Disaster Operation Centre for further action. After ensuring the situation was safe, they returned to the station at 6.30am,” it said.

Meanwhile, Pekan Bekenu, Kampung Dagang, Kampung Kelapa and Kampung Jenggalas were also inundated due to the persistent rainfall.

A BBP Batu Niah report said patrols and monitoring conducted on Sunday morning found that water levels in the Bekenu town area were between one and two feet high.

“In some areas, the water had risen to between three- and four-feet high,” it said, adding that no evacuations had been carried out so far. — The Borneo Post

SIBU (Jan 4): The water level at Nanga Lemai B station here breached the danger level as of 5pm on Sunday.

According to data shared by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage’s (DID) Public InfoBanjir website, the station recorded a reading of 4.33 metres, surpassing the danger threshold of 3.8 metres.

However, there was no change in the water level trend at the time of reporting.

Other stations with high water readings were Matu, Mukah at 2.75 metres (warning), and Mid Bruit, Mukah at 4.72 metres (alert) with rising water trends.

Meanwhile, firefighters conducted flood-risk patrols in several flood-prone areas here today as part of ongoing monitoring efforts during the Northeast Monsoon season.

Sibu Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Zone 4 chief Andy Alie said the patrols covered Jalan Kong Yit Khim, Jalan Sungai Assan Tanjung Latap, Jalan Kerto (Kampung Banyok), Jalan Stabau, Jalan Durin and surrounding areas of Sibu Jaya.

Firefighters also monitored the water level along the banks of the Kanowit River and Rajang River.

“The weather conditions during the patrol were overcast, while water levels in the monitored areas remained at normal levels,” he said.

“During the patrol, no emergency calls were received. Minor water overflow was observed at the roadside in certain locations, but the situation did not require the evacuation of residents, and overall conditions were reported to be under control,” he added.

Separately, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said on Saturday that the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) was on full alert for the possibility of a second wave of flooding during the current monsoon and king tide period.

He also urged residents in flood-prone and low-lying areas to comply immediately with evacuation orders when instructed.

KOTA KINABALU (Jan 4):The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) Sabah Branch expresses its deep concern over Saturday’s flood which affected several areas such as Kolombong, Inanam and Menggatal in Kota Kinabalu, and caused significant disruption to daily life, damage to property, and hardship to affected communities.

As a professional body representing engineers of various disciplines, IEM Sabah acknowledges that flood events are often the result of complex and interrelated factors, including extreme weather conditions, drainage capacity limitations, urban development patterns, tidal influences, and long-term infrastructure constraints.

In this regard, IEM Sabah stands ready and is willing to provide technical support and professional input to relevant authorities, agencies, and stakeholders in addressing both the immediate impacts and long-term mitigation measures related to the recent flood incident.

“Our members comprise experienced professionals in civil engineering, hydrology, drainage and flood control, geotechnical engineering, coastal engineering, urban infrastructure planning, and environmental engineering. Where requested, IEM Sabah can contribute through the technical advice and professional opinions; independent engineering assessments; review of drainage and flood mitigation strategies and sharing of best practices and lessons learnt from similar flood-prone regions,” said IEM Sabah Branch chairman 1 Ir. Ts. Tan KJ,  FIEM, JP.

IEM Sabah believes that effective flood management requires a coordinated, data-driven, and technically sound approach, supported by professional expertise and long-term planning. Collaboration among government agencies, local authorities, technical professionals, and the community is essential to develop resilient and sustainable solutions for Kota Kinabalu and Sabah as a whole, he said.

“We reaffirm IEM Sabah’s commitment to serving the public interest and supporting initiatives that enhance infrastructure resilience, public safety, and environmental sustainability,” added Tan.