21/04/2026

TUESDAY | APR 21, 2026

5

on Sunday morning, although no fatalities have been recorded. Sandakan district police chief ACP George Abd Rakman said police received a report on the incident at 1.30am, before the area was declared a disaster zone at 4am. Six relief centres have been opened, sheltering 248 individuals from 219 families as of 8am yesterday, although authorities said registration is ongoing and numbers are expected to rise. The Sabah Disaster Management Committee said victims are being housed at several locations, including halls at the Batu Sapi People’s Housing Project, SK Gas, SK Kampung Bahagia, SMK Batu Sapi, Sibuga and SK Karamunting. Sandakan Fire and Rescue station chief Jimmy Lagung said the blaze swept through the floating village, destroying homes across more than four hectares. Region urged to boost stand against human trafficking PETALING JAYA: A Malaysia-bound boat carrying Rohingya refugees that capsized in the Andaman Sea, with more than 250 people feared dead, has prompted renewed calls for stronger regional cooperation on irregular migration and trafficking routes. Myanmar Ethnic Rohingya Human Rights Organisation in Malaysia (MERHROM) president Zafar Ahmad Abdul Ghani said the incident reflects the continuing plight of Rohingya communities affected by conditions in Myanmar and refugee camps in Bangladesh, which have driven repeated attempts to reach Asean countries by sea. In a statement on Sunday, he questioned how refugees were able to leave camps reportedly under guard, who facilitated their movement, what assurances were given and what measures have been taken against trafficking networks. MERHROM said regional coordination involving origin, transit and destination countries is needed to address displacement and cross-border trafficking. “The only way to stop the boat journey is to end the Rohingya genocide. “This is the root cause of why Rohingya have to flee. Secondly, the traffickers operating in the region must be prosecuted.” Zafar said refugees are often misled by traffickers arranging sea crossings that frequently end in loss of life. “The Rohingya who are in desperate situations to save their lives were deceived by these traffickers who facilitated their boat journey that sacrificed their lives.” He called for stronger enforcement action against trafficking networks and improved humanitarian access, adding that responses must go beyond statements of concern. MERHROM linked the incident to ongoing violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine State involving the military and the Arakan Army, which it said has restricted movement and aid access. It said the Rohingya have faced repeated waves of violence over decades, including in 1942, 1978, the 1990s, 2012, 2016, 2017 and beyond. The group called on Asean, South Asia, the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the European Union and civil society groups to coordinate action against trafficking and similar atrocities. It also called for stronger enforcement of anti-trafficking laws and humanitarian support for survivors regardless of status. United Nations agencies reported about 250 people missing after the vessel capsized while en route to Malaysia. It had departed Teknaf in southern Bangladesh on April 4, with the incident reported on April 14. Reuters said this was among a series of recent deadly sea crossings involving Rohingya fleeing worsening conditions in Myanmar and overcrowded camps in Bangladesh. – By Faiz Ruzman

Failed bid to add evidence in case of kidnapped child PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal has dismissed M. Indira Gandhi’s application to adduce fresh evidence in her lawsuit against the IGP and three others over their alleged failure to locate her ex-husband, who absconded with their daughter. A three-member bench led by justice Datuk Mohamed Zaini Mazlan ruled that the application did not meet the threshold to admit new evidence. The proposed evidence relates to the alleged use of Budi95 and MyKasih Sara by her ex-husband Muhammad Riduan Abdullah, formerly known as K. Pathmanathan. Mohamed Zaini said the evidence surfaced only after the High Court trial and could not have been obtained earlier as the programmes came into existence later. The court fixed April 24 for case management to set a date for the main appeal decision. Indira is appealing against the Kuala Lumpur

High Court’s dismissal of her suit seeking a declaration that the IGP committed tort of nonfeasance in public office by failing to execute a committal warrant against Muhammad Riduan, as ordered by the Ipoh High Court. Prasana Diksa was taken at 11 months old after Muhammad Riduan converted to Islam. In 2009, he unilaterally converted their three children but the Federal Court ruled the conversions null and void in 2018. – Bernama

Call for better fire prevention in Sabah water villages o ‘Issue implies broader safety challenge involving awareness, preparedness, access to basic protection tools’ Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: The devastating blaze that tore through Sandakan’s Kampung Bahagia on Sunday, destroying nearly 1,000 homes and displacing more than 9,000 residents, has exposed the urgent fire risks long associated with Sabah’s water villages and prompted renewed calls for stronger prevention measures. Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye described the inferno as “an extraordinary fire disaster”, saying the sheer scale of destruction should serve as a wake up call for authorities and communities. “As far as I can recollect, there has never been a single fire disaster that destroyed about 1,000 houses and left thousands homeless in one incident.” He stressed that fire prevention cannot be treated solely as an emergency response once a blaze erupts, but must be approached as a broader safety challenge involving awareness, preparedness and access to basic protection tools. He also urged the Fire and Rescue Department to intensify preventive efforts in vulnerable settlements by expanding community education on fire risks and early response actions. “The people there must also be prepared to take part in any fire prevention effort or campaign that the Fire and Rescue Department is prepared to carry out. They must work together with the department to help prevent fires.” He noted that one critical gap is the lack of fire prevention equipment in water villages, where residents often cannot afford basic tools. Lee called for closer collaboration between the department and federal government to supply fire extinguishers and ensure residents are trained to use them. “It is not enough just to talk about awareness. The question is whether there are PUTRAJAYA: A massive blaze in Kampung Bahagia, Sandakan on Sunday has triggered a full-scale government response, with health and disaster agencies mobilised to manage the aftermath affecting thousands. The Health Ministry has activated immediate medical, psychological and public health measures, deploying rapid response teams to relief centres to support affected communities. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad confirmed that Rapid Assessment and Response Teams have been stationed at all evacuation centres to provide clinical care and health screening. “Only two minor injury cases involving fractures were reported and treated at health Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Evacuees picking out used clothes from those donated by the public in Kampung Bahagia yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

fire extinguishers, whether there is allocation to provide them and whether people are taught how to use them.” He added that long term solutions must involve coordination between state and federal agencies, with emphasis on practical safety measures and humanitarian support. He acknowledged the added complexity of assisting residents without Malaysian citizenship, but stressed that immediate priorities must remain safety and aid for all affected. Sandakan police chief ACP George Abd facilities, and both patients have been discharged,” he noted. “No fatalities or injuries among Health Ministry personnel were reported.” He added that Psychosocial First Aid teams have been mobilised to provide emotional support, counselling and early psychological intervention for victims and their families. “The ministry has implemented preventive public health and sanitation measures at evacuation centres to reduce the risk of post-disaster disease outbreaks,” he said, noting that continuous monitoring would be carried out to safeguard the wellbeing of affected communities. Meanwhile, the Central Disaster Management Committee is coordinating with federal and Sabah authorities to provide basic necessities, temporary shelter and welfare assistance.

Rakman confirmed that the incident was the largest fire ever recorded in the district, affecting 1,000 of the 1,200 stilt houses in Kampung Bahagia. The area was declared a disaster zone at 4am on Sunday, with relief centres opened to register victims and distribute assistance. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the federal government is working closely with Sabah authorities to provide immediate relief and temporary shelter, underscoring the national commitment to support those impacted by the tragedy. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the immediate priorities are ensuring the safety of victims and the swift delivery of aid. “I am saddened by the massive fire involving hundreds of houses in Kampung Bahagia, Batu Sapi. I express deepest sympathy to all those affected,” he said. “Losing one’s shelter in the blink of an eye is a severe test for the victims and their families.” Ahmad Zahid said Batu Sapi Umno machinery has been mobilised to assist with registration at temporary evacuation centres and the distribution of initial aid. “Let us pray that all victims are granted strength and perseverance in facing this test. Hopefully, all matters would be eased.” A total of 9,007 residents were reported to have been affected by the fire, which broke out

Inferno prompts full-scale government response