By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Aug 12: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) will intensify awareness efforts to ensure event organisers, particularly those planning fun rides and similar activities, are fully informed of the necessary procedures and safety requirements before opening them to the public.
MBKS Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng said the initiative comes as more fun rides are set to operate across Sarawak, with the council currently in discussions with the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) to review safety measures and consider introducing new or updated regulations.
“Whether the regulations are new or existing, the most important thing is to raise awareness, to let organisers know what needs to be done, prepared and submitted,” he told reporters after the Mayor Walk 2025 press conference at MBKS Building here today.
Wee stressed that when incidents occur, the first priority must be on the victims.
He said MBKS had been tracing and contacting the injured since the night of the amusement ride accident at the Kuching Festival Fair, and that he had personally visited one of the victims and spoken to several families to check on their condition.
He expressed disappointment over public speculation and finger-pointing before the investigation is complete, warning that such actions only create unnecessary tension.
“This is not the society we want. We want a caring society. When there is an incident, we have to share responsibility, not push blame,” he said.
The mayor explained that the Tagada ride involved in the recent Kuching Festival Fair mishap was contracted out through proper tender processes and that documentation and contractual matters will be addressed through the relevant channels.
He also defended the festival’s reputation, pointing out that it has been built over 39 years and is now one of the city’s key tourism attractions, drawing over a million visitors annually, including foreign tourists and young entrepreneurs.
“To maintain it is very difficult. To spoil it, you just need one day. If you are not happy with the Mayor, please don’t politicise it. Come to me, talk to me. But don’t spoil what we have put up,” he said, adding that Kuching also holds the UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy title, which should be safeguarded.
Wee said the focus now is to learn from the incident, improve safety procedures, and move forward so that future events can run smoothly.
On Aug 9, the mayor said during his ShallWEE Talk Facebook Live session that the investigation report into the amusement ride accident at the Kuching Festival Fair had yet to be released.
He also pledged full support for the victims and assured that MBKS would not evade responsibility. — DayakDaily
