Soo Tien Ren pointing to the smelly drains.
KUCHING: DAPSY Stampin Chief Soo Tien Ren has urged the Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) to urgently address long-standing drainage issues in a local neighbourhood, which he said have worsened following recent heavy rainfall.
“Residents have shared that this issue has persisted for quite some time. Despite repeated reports to the relevant authorities, no effective action has been taken. Recent heavy rainfall has further worsened the situation, with water overflow and foul odours affecting nearby homes and daily life,” he said.
Soo expressed concern over the lack of responsiveness from the local council, saying it reflects a failure in basic governance.
“As the Chief of DAPSY Stampin, I believe the local council has a fundamental duty to ensure that essential infrastructure such as drainage and sanitation is properly maintained. If the authorities cannot even manage a basic drainage system, how can the public trust them to govern a city effectively?”
Soo added that the drainage system appeared to be “almost totally abandoned”, and this was the root cause of flash floods whenever there is heavy rain.
He called on MPP to take immediate action by deploying officers to inspect and clean the affected drain. He stressed that restoration work must begin promptly to prevent further deterioration and that the council must establish a consistent schedule for maintenance and inspection rather than relying solely on public complaints.
He said he will continue to monitor this case closely. If there is no response, we are prepared to escalate the matter, including holding a press conference to demand accountability.
By Connie Chieng