By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, May 13: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) has clarified that overgrown vegetation and illegal structures found at Lorong Bayor Bukit 18 are located on State land outside its maintenance jurisdiction, but cleanup works were already initiated prior to recent public criticism following health and safety concerns.
Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng said MBKS officers had inspected the site and arranged for clearing works after identifying conditions that could pose risks to nearby residents, even before the matter was raised on social media.
“Our officers were already preparing to carry out the cleaning operation this morning,” he said in a statement today.
Wee was responding to remarks by Michael Kong, special assistant to Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman, which he said had “unfairly portrayed MBKS as negligent and irresponsible without first verifying the actual facts and jurisdiction of the matter”.
He said the site was not only affected by overgrown vegetation but also by unmanaged planting activities carried out by some residents, including serai, kunyit, pandan and other crops, which contributed to an untidy environment.
“Over time, the uncontrolled growth created an untidy condition and raised concerns over pest breeding and public hygiene,” he said.
While the land is State-owned and not under MBKS maintenance responsibility, the Mayor stressed that the council prioritises public wellbeing and will still act when issues pose potential risks to health and safety.
Wee said MBKS also discovered several illegally erected structures on the site, including car sheds built on State land during the clearing works.
“The matter will be referred to the relevant authorities for further action,” he stressed.
He added that MBKS officers had been actively carrying out clearing works on the ground and should not be unfairly criticised for issues that fall outside their jurisdiction, noting that complaints involving State land should be directed to the appropriate agencies.
“MBKS should not become a convenient punching bag for political narratives or public attention. It is easy to make accusations on social media, but responsible leadership requires facts, fairness, and proper understanding of jurisdiction and responsibilities before pointing fingers.
“Before publicly blaming MBKS, all parties should verify the facts carefully. The council and its officers should not be unfairly criticised simply for the sake of creating public perception or acting like a hero on social media,” he added, noting that council staff continue to work daily to serve residents and address community issues responsibly.
Wee reiterated that MBKS remains committed to prioritising residents’ safety, health and wellbeing, regardless of recognition, and will continue acting in the best interest of the community. — DayakDaily
