Jln Pahlawan shophouse collapse: Follow-up meeting set for Feb 23

The shophouse that collapsed at Jalan Pahlawan in Sungai Merah, Sibu, on Feb 13, 2026. Photo: Ukas

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Feb 14: A follow-up meeting on the shophouse collapse incident at Jalan Pahlawan in Sungai Merah, Sibu, will be held on Feb 23 to examine the technical report to be submitted by the Public Works Department (JKR) as well as the views of relevant experts.

According to Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee, the duration of the area closure and any action taken against the building structure will depend on the report’s findings.

“We need to ensure that all aspects of public safety remain a priority following the collapse incident early this morning, with the surrounding area now completely closed until further notice.

“We understand that there are business interests and valuables that are still in the building. However, safety is the number one priority; we cannot take risks,” he said during a press conference after a meeting regarding the incident at the Sibu Municipal Council (MPS) Office on Friday (Feb 13), as reported by the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas).

Tiang also said that, based on observations and viral videos, the building’s structure remains unstable, and cracking sounds can be heard in the rubble.

As a result, the roads in the surrounding areas have been closed—an action he acknowledged has caused inconvenience to nearby premises operators.

The Pelawan assemblyman also informed that, according to the Building By-Laws, the qualified person who submitted the original plan must identify and report the cause of the structural failure within seven days from the date of the incident.

He added that if the investigation finds that the building is no longer structurally safe, the authorities will declare it a dangerous building and subsequently order demolition works to be carried out.

“The owner needs to demolish and clear the debris in the area before the road can be reopened. Whether they want to rebuild or not, that is up to the owner because it is private land,” he said.

On Friday, firefighters responded to a call at 2.46am whereby the corner of a shophouse unit block at Jalan Pahlawan had collapsed.

No victims were reported in the incident. — DayakDaily