By Shikin Louis & Marlynda Meraw
KUCHING, March 8: Owners of shophouses along Carpenter Street-Ewe Hai Street are urged to examine and change their electrical wiring, especially the outdated ones.
The call came from Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) Mayor Hilmy Othman in light of a fire that broke out recently, affecting several shophouses.
He believed that it is one of the important precaution steps to prevent a fire incident, along with the installation of fire extinguishers and good management of electrical appliances.
“I think the wiring in all the heritage buildings here may have long been outdated, but we will leave this matter to the respective owner or tenant to look into.
“The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) will also help us to check each building if the tenant or the owner requests for them to look into this matter,” he told reporters when met at the scene today.
He also said DBKU will look into ways to assist the fire victims with the help of Kapitan Lim Chuan Chan, who is also the chairman of the Kuching Old Market Community Association and the advisor to the Kuching Inter-Cultural Mooncake Festival, Sih Hua Tong.
“We have a few programmes planned for this area as far as Kuching Old Town is concerned, such as the annual Mooncake Festival soon.
“We were discussing this matter, but since the fire has occurred, we will look into this matter and see how we can help the owners and tenants,” he added.
For the record, Carpenter Street and Ewe Hai Street are under DBKU’s jurisdiction. — DayakDaily
