By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, April 6: The collapse of the front portion of a second-storey wall at an old shoplot along Jalan Padungan here early this morning was not caused by seismic activity, but it has raised deeper concerns about the structural integrity of ageing buildings in the city, says Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts (MTCP), Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
“I was quite surprised when I was informed that the front portion of an old shoplot building along Jalan Padungan had collapsed this morning.
“Thankfully, there were no injuries or fatalities. The incident has nothing to do with the earthquake (Myanmar earthquake),” he told reporters during a doorstop interview at a Majlis Ramah Tamah Aidilfitri hosted by his two ministries — MTCP and the Sarawak Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED) — at a hotel here today.
Abdul Karim, who is also MYSED minister, said he believed the collapse was likely due to the age of the building and the quality of materials used during its construction.
He further cautioned that similar buildings constructed during the same era could be at risk if not properly inspected and maintained.
“The time has come to reassess these old structures. We don’t want to wait until lives are lost.
“The materials used back then — perhaps limited cement or outdated construction methods — might not meet today’s safety standards,” he added.
The minister called on relevant authorities, especially local councils, to take proactive measures in inspecting and evaluating older buildings, particularly in heritage and commercial zones.
Abdul Karim also pointed out that while some historic buildings, such as museums, are protected through official gazettement, many older properties in Kuching lack clear zoning or preservation status.
“If I’m not mistaken, that area hasn’t even been gazetted as a heritage zone,” he said, adding that there is an urgent need for regulatory clarity and enforcement to prevent future accidents.
The Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), in a statement this morning, said it received a distress call at 6.23am and immediately dispatched firefighters from the Padungan station.
“However, no victims were reported injured in this incident. The Padungan Fire and Rescue Department (BBP) team, who arrived at the scene promptly, found that the building’s wall had cracked and collapsed,” it said.
Occupants of the building and its neighbouring unit were immediately evacuated as a precautionary measure.
Firefighters also cordoned off the area with safety ropes to prevent any other unwanted incidents. — DayakDaily
