KUCHING: Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) councillor Gerald Goh’s routine drain inspection at Jalan Field Force took an unexpected turn when he was splashed with a pail of smelly water from a nearby house.
“I was talking to MPP staff about the drain problem when suddenly, someone poured a pail of water over the fence and it drenched me,” said Goh. “The fence was high, so I couldn’t see who did it, but there was construction going on inside the house. A voice later apologised from behind the fence.”
Goh said incidents like this come with the job. “It’s part of being a councillor. Sometimes, we get scolded or caught in such situations. I didn’t know what kind of water it was because it smelled bad, so I went back immediately to bathe and change,” he said.
Explaining the purpose of his visit, Goh said drainage maintenance falls under the Council’s responsibility. “Over time, due to weathering, soil erosion, and land sedimentation, some cemented drains begin to sink, forming depressions. These may seem minor but can cause stagnant water and other problems if not addressed,” he explained.
“I’ve reported such cases to the Council based on residents’ feedback and our on-site inspections. We’ve also scheduled follow-up visits to plan for repairs and preventive measures,” he added.
Goh stressed that MPP takes community service seriously. “We want to ensure our neighbourhoods remain clean, safe, and conducive for everyone,” he said.
Residents within the Padawan area who need the Council’s attention can contact Cr Gerald Goh at 019-8165368 for assistance.
By Connie Chieng