SCRAPING away inches of mud has become a daily struggle for Mohamad Wasli Sulai and his family as they work tirelessly to clean up their home in Kampung Lereng Bukit in Miri.

Their house was submerged in mud and water for days following last week’s flash floods and landslide, leaving them with the daunting task of restoring their living space to its former condition.

“It still rains every day, and the risk of another landslide remains. That’s why we’re not allowed to return home yet. We’re doing everything we can – slowly but surely, we’ll get it clean and move back,” he told The Borneo Post in Miri.

Having lived in Kampung Lereng Bukit all his life, Mohamad Wasli knew what to expect when the rain persisted for days.

“We were monitoring the situation. Once the water flowing down from the hill turned murky, we knew it was time to pack our things and move to a safer place,” he said, describing the constant vigilance that Kampung Lereng Bukit residents must undertake.

At the time, all the women and children in his family – 20 people in total – had already been evacuated to a relative’s house, while the men stayed behind to salvage the valuable items, move cars to safety, and monitor the situation.

However, no one expected the devastating toll brought by the landslide that struck on Jan 29, burying two houses and claiming five lives.

“We were there. Two victims made it out; they were buried under the mud, but they got out. “Unfortunately, we had to wait for Bomba (Fire and Rescue Department) to help the rest because we did not have the equipment.

“It all happened so fast. They were just like us, preparing to evacuate, but did not make it this time,” said Mohamad Wasli, his voice heavy with sorrow. 

‘Relocation: Not an easy decision’

Following the disaster, the government had proposed relocating residents to a new housing area as a safety measure. However, Mohamad Wasli was among those who were against it.

His family has been in Kampung Lereng Bukit for four generations. His father migrated from Mukah to Miri before World War II, settling in the village and raising his family there.

“My family has taken root here for generations. It’s not just about leaving a house; it’s about leaving behind a lifetime of memories, community and history.

“Even after experiencing three landslides and countless flash floods over the past 45 years, moving away is not an easy decision.” For many residents, the financial strain of starting over made relocation an unrealistic option.

“You can ask anyone here. Most of us simply cannot afford to move. “If the proposed relocation site is in Tudan, we don’t want to be given just a piece of land and be left to build our own homes.

“That’s not a solution,” Mohamad Wasli pointed out. He acknowledged the government’s good intentions, but also stressed that proper financial support was crucial.

“Unless they provide us with fully-built, ready-to-move-in houses, relocation is not even an option for us.” 

‘Rebuild lives from scratch’

Fellow villager, Mohd Aliff Zaidi, has also returned home days after the landslide to clean his family house and protect their valuable items.

His family has lived in Kampung Lereng Bukit for three generations, and while his family members are staying at a relative’s house for now, he stays behind to monitor the situation.

“If there’s heavy rain, I’ll evacuate to a safer place,” he said.

However, the 39-year-old entrepreneur has another major concern – his livelihood. He runs a small welding business, with his workshop located next to his house.

“Relocating means I would have to abandon my source of income. My entire business is here.

“How would I start over?”

Like many others, Mohd Aliff has been discussing the government’s proposal with his neighbours.

“If the compensation doesn’t commensurate with the value of our properties, tens of thousands of ringgits wouldn’t be enough for us to rebuild our lives from scratch.

“If that’s the case, staying here is still the best option.” Moreover, he said the elderly members of his family were deeply attached to their home.

‘Call for sustainable living arrangements’

Another villager, Nurain Mohd Bujang Sharibee, 30, said her family home of three generations was not as badly hit as others.

“There’s just mud, which we had quickly cleaned up, but we’re not allowed to return home yet because of the very high risk, as it still rains every day.”

Currently seeking refuge at her cousin’s home, Nurain said she had heard news about the government’s proposal for relocation and the rumours surrounding the compensations.

She remarked: “Instead of relief, the news has sparked concern and uncertainties among the residents.

“Yes, we face the risk of disasters living here, but the thought of squeezing into a small flat or house in a new location with all our family members, this is overwhelming.

“It makes us panic,” she told The Borneo Post. Nurain pointed out that a one-household-per-lot allocation would not work, as most lots in the village accommodated multiple families.

“Each house easily shelters more than 10 people. Relocating us isn’t just about giving us new homes; it’s about ensuring that we would have sustainable living arrangements.

“Some of us were hit by landslides, and some by mud. “Others haven’t even returned home because there’s still no decision on when it’s safe.

“If the government wants us to move, the compensations must be fair and reflective of what we’ve built here. “Many of us have lived in this village for generations, not just a year or two – we were born and raised here.”

“They spent decades building this house. They won’t simply leave it behind.” For now, Mohd Aliff and his family count themselves lucky as their house, while filled with mud and water, remains structurally intact.

“As long as everyone is safe, we can slowly replace what we’ve lost,” he said, recalling that the house had once sustained landslide damage back in the 1980s.

‘What’s next?’

While many Kampung Lereng Bukit folks are highly not in favour of the relocation proposal, Ismail Mohamed, 58, gives a completely different perspective – one that hints fear and exhaustion.

His family home, which has stood for three generations, was hit by landslide for the second time. The first incident caused severe damage; this time, the back of his house was buried under fallen trees and thick layer of mud.

When first approached, Ismail was hesitant to speak, citing asthma as the reason that he could not engage in long conversations.

However, the sadness in his eyes spoke volumes – a silent testament to why he was willing to leave, if only the government could guarantee a safe home for his family.

“I’ve had enough of living in fear, worrying about my family’s safety and my own. “My house has survived this time, but what about the next?

“If the government could provide a secure house for my family, I am more than willing to move,” he said.