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KUCHING (Jan 29): The Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, along with his wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, have expressed their deepest sympathies to the families of the victims who tragically lost their lives in the landslide at Kampung Lereng Bukit, Miri.
In a heartfelt statement, the Head of State shared his sorrow, offering prayers for the departed. “Al-Fatihah and heartfelt condolences to all who have left us forever. May the victims be placed among the righteous and the martyrs,” he said.
He also took a moment to commend the swift and tireless efforts of the rescue teams and emergency responders who have been working around the clock to search for the remaining victims. Their commitment during this difficult time has been a beacon of hope for the affected families.
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Dr Wan Junaidi highlighted the urgent need for increased safety measures in hillside and highland areas, which are prone to such disasters. “It is crucial to ensure the safety of residents so that unfortunate incidents like this can be prevented,” he emphasized, calling for more proactive inspections and monitoring in high-risk zones.
As of the latest update, four victims have been confirmed dead, and rescue teams are still working to recover the body of the last missing person. The landslide occurred in the early hours of the morning, with the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) receiving an emergency call at 2:58am.
The first body recovered was that of a 16-year-old boy, followed by 41-year-old Sazarena Arabi at 10:40am. By 11:30am, rescuers discovered the body of an eight-year-old girl near Sazarena, and shortly after, another 11-year-old girl was found.
Miri Police Chief, ACP Alexson Naga Chabu, confirmed that all victims were members of the same family: Sazarena, her two daughters, and her son. The final victim, 71-year-old Fatimah Dawi, was Sazarena’s mother.
The community has been left reeling from this tragedy, but the support from both local authorities and citizens continues to pour in, as rescue operations continue in the search for closure.