MBKS denies ignoring complaints over collapsed drain at Lrg Rock 1, says drain repair followed due process

KUCHING (Feb 1): The Kuching South City Council (MBKS) has denied allegations that it ignored public complaints regarding a collapsed section of a drain at Lorong Rock 1 here, saying the claims do not reflect the actual sequence of events or the council’s effort.

This follows a recent statement by the special assistant to the Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman, Michael Kong, who alleged that the council had disregarded long-standing complaints about cracks along the drain and implied that action was only taken after conditions worsened.

However, Kuching South Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng clarified that infrastructure works of this nature require proper engineering assessments and strict adherence to procurement and safety regulations, which cannot be bypassed without jeopardizing public safety and accountability.

“After we inspected the site, our engineering team evaluated how the repair should be carried out,” he said.

“We then drew up the plan, prepared the specifications, calculated the costs, and secured the necessary funds. After that, a transparent tender is called.”

Wee was speaking to reporters after representing Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian at the launch of Sarawak’s first community-integrated training kiosk for students with special needs here yesterday.

According to him, the tender for the repair works will be called on Feb 2 in accordance with established procurement procedures and will remain open until Feb 16.

“A sufficient two-week period is provided for participants to submit their bids. These are the processes and procedures the council follows,” he added.

The mayor highlighted two instances in which the council took an active role in addressing the drain collapse.

“On Nov 8 last year, councillors, technical officers and engineers inspected the site and identified structural concerns at the affected drain, prompting further technical assessment.

“Then, a second site visit took place on Nov 11 to assess the extent of the damage and determine the appropriate scope of repair works, taking into account safety considerations, engineering requirements, and long-term structural integrity,” he said.

MBKS, he added, subsequently proceeded with the necessary internal processes, including technical evaluations, cost estimation, and preparation for procurement.

In addressing the broader issue, Wee pointed out the continuous challenges faced by local authorities due to funding constraints, particularly in infrastructure maintenance.

He said allocations under the Malaysian Road Records Information System (Marris) Fund have not increased, despite rising construction costs and the growing need for infrastructure upgrades.

“For those in the federal government, please help your own Sarawakians,” he said, noting that since DAP is part of the federal government, timely action and adequate funding are essential to address infrastructure issues effectively and sustainably.