TAWAU: The Barisan Nasional (BN) government plans to relocate all the Kampung Tanjung Batu Tengah residents to a safer place.

April 7, 2013

TAWAU: The Barisan Nasional (BN) government plans to relocate all the Kampung Tanjung Batu Tengah residents in Jalan Kukusan here to a safer place.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Aman said he was saddened by Saturday’s incident when huge boulders came loose from the top of the Kukusan Hill and fell on seven houses below injuring at least six people in the process.

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 MP Datuk Abdul Ghapur Salleh and Tanjung Batu Assemblywoman Datuk Hamisa Samat would discussed with relevant quarters including the Tawau Municipal Council on the best that can be done for the villagers.

“It is important that we avoid disaster 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 was located so close to the stone quarry and that it may happen again in the future.

He proposed that the victims comprising 12 families to be relocated to the Taman Semarak people housing project.

According to the authorities, these families could no longer stay there and that the rest should also be shifted in stages not only in Taman Semarak but also 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 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 presented his personal donation of RM1,000 to each of the family who were also given RM1,000 each by Ghapur and quarry operator, Hap Seng as well as RM500 each from Hamisa.

Musa and entourage also went to the scene and look at the extent of damages caused by the falling rock.