By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, April 7: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng has urged all parties to prioritise public safety and avoid politicising the recent collapse of the front portion of a second-storey wall at a shoplot on Jalan Padungan here.
“This is not the time for finger-pointing. This is the time to unite in the interest of public safety and heritage preservation,” he said during a press conference held today by MBKS in response to the partial collapse of a century-old shoplot early yesterday morning (April 6).
Wee reminded the public that many buildings in Kuching’s city centre are over a century old and require proper care and oversight.
He added that, as part of the council’s efforts to ensure structural safety, all planned extensions or renovations must be officially submitted to and approved by MBKS.
“Unauthorised changes can compromise a building’s stability, especially when dealing with aged structures. Owners have a responsibility to ensure compliance with safety regulations,” he stressed.
The mayor also reaffirmed MBKS’s commitment to working with the State government and technical agencies to investigate the cause of the collapse and assess other potentially vulnerable buildings.
He said the council welcomes constructive input from any political leader or stakeholder but urged that the issue should not be used for political gain.
“We are ready to collaborate with anyone who shares our goal of keeping Kuching safe and preserving our heritage. Let’s put aside politics and focus on real solutions for our community,” Wee added.
Also present at the press conference were Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR Sarawak) director Dr Cassidy Morris, Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) Sarawak Branch chairperson Ir Dr Angelia Liew, and other officials. — DayakDaily
