Kg Iboi floods: Three years later, the pain still lingers
The tragedy on July 4, 2022, caused by intense rainfall and large volume of water flowing down from Gunung Inas claimed the lives of three villagers, including an expectant mother, and caused extensive damage to homes, infrastructure and livelihoods.
Former Village Development and Security Committee secretary Mohamad Nor Che Husain, also known as Pak Teh, said the community's shared journey of recovery had fostered a deep sense of unity and resilience.
"With the cooperation of residents and strong support from government agencies, things are progressing well. The harmony we now enjoy is genuine.
"I hope this sense of unity remains strong. Let's not allow narrow political ideologies to tear apart the bonds of kinship we've built," he said during a visit to a chalet near the site of the flood.
Kampung Iboi was "ground zero" of the tragedy, in which 12 homes were also destroyed and 50 others severely damaged.
Despite the painful memories, recent improvements, including the nearly completed disaster mitigation infrastructure, better road connectivity and the absence of floods since early this year, had brought a sense of calm and cautious optimism for the villagers.
Reflecting on the village's journey over the past three years, Nor said emotional wounds had slowly started to heal, though not entirely.
"You can see the changes in the community but to say they've fully recovered, I think that will take more time."
He said economic hardship remained a key challenge, especially for those reliant on agriculture and tourism in the once vibrant Lata Celak recreational park.
Nor also suggested erecting a permanent memorial in the village.
His proposal was supported by Village Development and Security Committee chairman Muzani Md Noh, who also urged the authorities to restore water supply and rehabilitate the farm soil damaged in the disaster.
"Much progress has been made but water and soil issues need attention."
Muzani said he hoped that Lata Celak could be redeveloped as a geo-disaster education and ecotourism site, which he believed could rejuvenate the local economy.
Earlier, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail had announced that the RM22.8 million Sabo Dam project in Sungai Kupang was progressing ahead of schedule, with a 62 per cent completion rate, compared with the projected 20 per cent at this stage.
He also said 17 new homes for victims were 95 per cent complete, and set to be handed over by the end of the month.
The RM3 million initiative is funded by the federal government, with the state providing land valued at RM600,000.
To curb future flood risks, two phases of flood mitigation projects were underway.
Phase 1 of the Baling Flood Mitigation Plan (RTB Baling) involves upgrading Sungai Kupang, construction of a crossing structure, embankment works, and other related infrastructure improvements.
Putrajaya has also approved two flood mitigation projects for the Baling district — RTB Baling (Sungai Kupang) and RTB Baling Phase 2 — as part of efforts to address recurring floods in the area.
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