KUCHING: Kuching City South (MBKS) Mayor, Dato Wee Hong Seng expressed concern on the old building in his jurisdiction following the collapse of a wall in an old building at Padungan early Sunday morning.
Caretaker Mayor Wee said in a press conference that the collapsed building is nearly 100 years old.
“Professional teams have been deployed to investigate the cause of the collapse and urged the public not to speculate while assessments and investigation are ongoing. Many buildings in the city are old. MBKS has taken immediate steps with technical experts from the relevant agencies to assess and review the structural integrity of buildings within our jurisdiction,” he added thanking the relevant agencies for thier prompt respond.
He stressed on the importance of preserving heritage buildings safely and responsibly. “We will maintain these heritage sites with proper guidelines, and we are working to formulate long-term policies to ensure both preservation and public safety.”
Wee also called on all parties to avoid politicising the incident. “This is not the time for politics. We must stand united and work together in the public’s interest,” he said. He also urged building owners to promptly inform authorities if they notice any cracks or signs of structural damage in their properties, as safety must always come first.
Director of Works, IR Dr. Cassidy Morris who was at the press conference said from initiate finds, three buildings near the collapsed building were found to be unsafe and they have taken preventive measures to inform the occupants. He urged the shop owners to use quality materials and proper workmanship when doing extension or renovation to prevent such issues.
By Connie Chieng