Residents call for stronger safety measures after three children drown at Sibu Jaya pond

SIBU (Feb 5): The deaths of three children in a sewage pond near the Sibu Jaya flats on Wednesday have heightened residents’ concerns over environmental safety in the area.

Flat Blok N Sibu Jaya village development and security committee (JKKK) pro tem chairman Lorita Sawang said safety measures at the pond remained inadequate despite the presence of warning signs.

She noted that signage had been installed along the access route to the pond, believed to have been put up by a nearby housing developer.

“However, these measures have not been effective in preventing public access, particularly by children,” Lorita said when met.

She added that the access route had previously been fitted with fencing and a spandek gate, but these were later opened to facilitate construction works and suffered damage due to vandalism.

“As a result, the area has become easily accessible and is not consistently controlled,” she said.

Lorita stressed that the sewage pond must be equipped with more comprehensive physical safety measures, such as permanent fencing, wire mesh barriers, or sturdy metal gates, to secure the area.

“As long as the pond remains exposed, the risk of accidents and loss of life will continue,” she said.

She also noted that residents, particularly parents, were traumatised by the incident and now fear for their children’s safety whenever they are outdoors.

“It is unfair to place the blame solely on parents when structural safety weaknesses in the area have long been known and have previously claimed lives,” Lorita said.

She called on the local authorities, relevant agencies, and the developer to take immediate and firm action to implement effective safety measures and prevent a recurrence of the tragedy.