by DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, June 19: Michael Kong, special assistant to Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen, urged the Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) to immediately inspect and upgrade the earth drains along Jalan Kung Phin, citing concerns over property damage and public safety.
He pointed out that it is the council’s responsibility to maintain and improve public infrastructure, such as earth drains, particularly when neglect could lead to further erosion, structural failures, and risks to residents.
“Public infrastructure such as earth drains falls squarely within the purview of the local council. It is MPP’s duty to maintain and upgrade such infrastructure, especially when public safety and property damage are at stake,” he said.
His statement came in response to concerns raised by a property owner whose property was affected by the erosion of soil near earth drains along Jalan Kung Phin which caused their main fence had to collapse.
According to Kong, while the property owner has expressed willingness to fund the reconstruction of the fence, they have also requested MPP to assess the condition of the drains.
Kong claimed that the council had instead passed the responsibility to the area’s assemblyman.
“This is an utterly irresponsible response from a council representative,” he said.
“The erosion of soil near earth drains is a ticking time bomb. Delaying action only increases the risk of more structural failures, property damage, and even injury to residents,” he added.
Kong urged MPP to act immediately by inspecting and upgrading the earth drains along Jalan Kung Phin to prevent further damage to property and to fulfill its responsibility to the people. – DayakDaily
