By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Jan 21: Owners of shophouses along Jalan Padungan are urged to inspect and upgrade their electrical wiring to prevent fires that could destroy the area’s century-old heritage buildings.
Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng announced that the council, in collaboration with Sarawak Energy Berhad, is conducting free inspections of main electrical wiring outside the shophouses.
However, he emphasized that property owners are responsible for inspecting and, if necessary, upgrading their internal wiring through certified electricians.
“You can access the list of Sarawak Energy’s registered contractors on their website.
“Don’t attempt wiring work yourself or hire unqualified individuals just because they offer cheaper rates,” he said during a press conference in Jalan Padungan today.
Wee also advised owners to set aside a small portion of their rental income for regular maintenance to ensure the safety and preservation of their properties.
“By investing a little each month, you can protect and preserve these heritage buildings instead of dealing with the costly process of rebuilding after a fire,” he added.
There are over 100 shophouses along Jalan Padungan, and since Wee assumed office as mayor, two fire incidents have occurred in the area.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Energy’s Vice President for Distribution, Choo Min Chong, noted that while they inspect main wiring every three to five years, building owners are encouraged to test internal wiring every 10 years.
These inspections include assessing the integrity of insulation, identifying loose connections using thermal scanners, and rectifying any hotspots found during the checks. If issues are detected, Sarawak Energy will schedule suitable times to conduct maintenance, including tightening connections to ensure safety.
“Sometimes, customers install large appliances such as water heaters or industrial freezers that significantly increase the electrical load.
“If the wiring is not designed to handle such demands, it can overheat, causing the insulation to deteriorate over time.
“As the wires become progressively hotter, the risk of fire increases. Customers should assess whether their existing insulation and wiring can support the new equipment before installation,” he explained.
To address these risks, Sarawak Energy regularly inspects wiring to check for overloading, which occurs when the electrical demand exceeds the capacity of the wires.
If an overload is detected, they will take measures such as reinforcing the system by adding additional cables to distribute the load and prevent overheating.
The campaign will extend to surrounding areas, with MBKS and Sarawak Energy committed to ensuring safety across Kuching’s historic zones. – DayakDaily
