By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, April 8: Kuching North City Hall (DBKU) will begin conducting comprehensive safety inspections on historical and aging buildings under its jurisdiction, while concurrently strengthening building maintenance regulations and enforcing compliance with safety standards.
This proactive move follows the recent collapse of the front portion of a second-story wall of a heritage shop lot along Jalan Padungan, an incident that rattled the local community and underscored the fragility of Kuching’s architectural legacy.
DBKU Mayor Dato Hilmy Othman, expressing deep concern over the incident, stressed the importance of protecting the city’s historic structures, which form an integral part of Kuching’s identity.
“This incident serves as a solemn reminder of the importance of proactive measures to protect not only our cultural heritage but also the safety and well-being of our people,” he said in a statement today.
Hilmy said DBKU will work closely with Kuching South City Council (MBKS), relevant government agencies, and heritage preservation authorities to ensure all cultural buildings are preserved and maintained for future generations.
“Our city is home to many cultural treasures, including the historic row of shop houses along Gambier Street and Carpenter Street, the iconic Kuching Waterfront, the General Post Office, and the Brooke Dockyard.
“These sites are not just physical structures; they are living symbols of our identity, our past, and our shared community pride,” he emphasised.
The mayor said the immediate focus will be on conserving the structural integrity of heritage buildings while ensuring public safety. This will also help establish a safer and more conducive working environment for preservation, restoration, and construction professionals.
He affirmed that political boundaries must not hinder cooperation in this matter and shared his commitment to collaborate strategically with MBKS Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng to push forward heritage safety initiatives.
“We need to set aside political views in tackling this matter and I urged the the public to engage in preservation efforts as I believe everyone has a role to play in safeguarding our shared heritage,” he said.
He also commended the swift action of agencies including the Public Works Department (JKR), Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), and the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) Sarawak in responding to the Jalan Padungan incident, pledging DBKU’s continued collaboration with these stakeholders.
“Let this moment be not only a time of reflection but a catalyst for action and change. We owe it to the memories of those in the past and to future generations, to protect our heritage with diligence, unity, and unwavering commitment,” he concluded. — DayakDaily
