The three occasions when floods hit Kampung Iboi were on July 4, July 28 and Sept 6.

“Four people have died in the floods and all we have seen are empty promises instead of real action,” one of the victims, Rabiatul Adawiyah, told FMT.

“I have heard that a bridge will be built and the river will be deepened. But what is the progress so far? How long are we supposed to wait? Do you want to see us all dead before you act?”

Rabiatul said the villagers are angry and disappointed as they have to bear huge expenses to replace damaged household items every time they are hit by floods.

She also said authorities must assess if the area was safe to stay, describing it as a ‘ticking time bomb’ waiting to explode.

Another villager, who identified himself as Kamal, said Kampung Iboi was not the only area exposed to flooding. He said there were several locations surrounding Bukit Iboi and Sungai Kupang that were equally prone to floods.

He said these areas included Kampung Teluk Saba, Kampung Pisang, Kampung Hangus, Kampung Tebing Tinggi and Pekan Kupang, whose residents could not afford to move.

Kamal also said several river deepening projects were not progressing as promised.

“The temporary banks have eroded and the rivers have become shallow like in their previous state,” he told FMT.

Meanwhile, Sahabat Alam Sik’s adviser, Sobri Ramlee, urged the authorities to conduct thorough investigations into the cause of the floods and the Musang King durian farming activities by involving representatives from the residents.

He also called for the durian farm project to be halted immediately.

In the most recent floods on Sept 6, a newly constructed Bailey bridge almost collapsed. Several residents were also forced to seek temporary shelter at relief centres.