KOTA KINABALU: Flood victims in Penampang are questioning the delay in receiving the RM1,000 cash aid promised to them following the devastating floods that hit the district in June.

Parti Warisan vice-president Terrence Siambun said the Sabah government should explain the delay, highlighting the disparity in aid distribution.

“The aid is crucial for those who have suffered losses because of the disaster. However, many flood victims in Penampang are still waiting for the RM1,000 that was promised to them,” Siambun said in a statement on Wednesday (March 12).

Urging state authorities and relevant agencies to address the issue immediately, he stressed that the floods had caused significant destruction to homes and property, and financial assistance should have been a priority for the government.

“I demand transparency in the disbursement process to ensure that no victims are left out. The people of Penampang deserve fair treatment and should not be sidelined in the distribution of aid,” he added.

Siambun called on the government to uphold its commitment to assisting flood victims fairly, warning that any lack of transparency or further delay would only deepen the hardships of those affected.

“The government must prove that it is genuinely committed to helping those in need, not just making announcements without effective and fair implementation,” he said.

He added that to date, there has been no official response from the Sabah government regarding the delay in payments for Penampang flood victims, but many affected residents remain hopeful that the promised aid will be delivered soon.