JKR to release report on sinkhole near mall at Jln Song in two days, says Uggah

KUCHING (Oct 30): The Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) is expected to issue a comprehensive preliminary report to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development on the safety of soil structure near a mall at Jalan Song here soon, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

He said his Infrastructure and Port Development Ministry had also directed JKR to carry out an immediate investigation and to give him the report in two days.

“The JKR is taking action now. So we’re waiting for their report. I just want to know what the extent of the hole is. I think it’s very critical for us to have a very extensive look at the hole.

“You know what happened in some other places,” he said, citing a case in Melaka earlier this month where a small sinkhole grew larger, posing hazards to road users.

He was speaking to reporters after the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) Complex occupational permit (OP) handover ceremony here today.

“We will try our best to find out what is happening and rectify it as soon as possible. We need to find out what the underlying issues are, and then we will look further on how to improve and also to check on other areas that may have similar issues,” he said.

He added that one of the methods to restore the ground stability is to fill the open voids in the soil and improve its consistency.

It is learnt that there are also other potholes in the underlying soil structure over the affected surrounding areas, which may or may not be the result of soil erosion.