Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman joined by hundreds of leaders and people during the launching of the Yayasan Sabah roadshow for Tawau zone yesterday.
TAWAU: The Barisan Nasional (BN) government plans to relocate all the Kampung Tanjung Batu Tengah residents in Jalan Kukusan to a safer place.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Aman said he was saddened by Saturday’s incident when huge boulders became dislodged from the top of the Kukusan Hill and rolled into seven houses below injuring at least six people.
Making an impromptu visit to the village right after officiating at the Yayasan Sabah roadshow on Sunday, Musa said the BN government is sensitive to the people’s needs.
He said local leaders like Kalabakan member of parliament Datuk Abdul Ghapur Salleh and Tanjung Batu assemblywoman Datuk Hamisa Samat would discuss with the relevant authorities, including the Tawau Municipal Council, on the best assistance that can be given to the villagers.
“It is important that we avoid another disaster like this from happening … so I hope the villagers will not panic because your safety is our priority,” he said.
Ghapur earlier said the incident was unavoidable since the village is located so close to the stone quarry and it may happen again in the future.
He proposed that the victims comprising 12 families be relocated to the Taman Semarak people housing project.
According to the authorities, these families could no longer stay there and the rest should also be shifted in stages not only to Taman Semarak but also to Pasir Putih.
“We have to move the people out from here because it is very risky for them to continue staying here,” he said.
Hamisa informed the Chief Minister that the incident had affected 45 occupants who are now taking shelter in the surau and some in their relatives’ house. She said there are 474 houses in the village and about 220 of the residents are voters.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister gave a personal donation of RM1,000 to each of the affected families. Ghapur and quarry operator, Hap Seng, also gave RM1,000 each besides Hamisa who gave RM500 each to the affected families.
Musa and his entourage also proceeded to the scene to get a closer look at the extent of damages caused by the falling rocks.