Kong: MBKS must stop hiding behind procedures after drain collapse

KUCHING (Feb 2): Kuching South Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng’s recent response to public complaints on a collapsed stretch of a drain at Lorong Rock 1 here, does not address the core issue, said Michael Kong.

The special assistant to Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen said the mayor’s clarification seemed like an attempt to hide behind timelines and procedures.

Kong said the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) claimed that on-site inspections were conducted on Nov 8 and 11 last year, but questioned why no action was taken before the collapse.

“Had MBKS acted when members of the public lodged reports about the deteriorating condition of the drain, the situation could have been rectified earlier, more efficiently, and at a far lower cost.

“Instead, inaction allowed the problem to worsen until it resulted in an actual collapse,” he said in a statement.

Kong said what is more concerning is that MBKS is now saying a tender will only be called on Feb 16.

He pointed out that the deteriorated condition was identified in November last year, yet more than two months later the matter is still only at the tender stage.

“This is unacceptable for a case involving a collapsed drain, visible underground soil erosion, and the risk posed to nearby infrastructure and public safety,” he said.

In such situations, he stressed, authorities cannot continue to hide behind “procedures” as an excuse for prolonged delays.

“Procedures exist to ensure accountability, not to paralyse urgent action,” he said, adding that when public safety is at stake, emergency remedial works should take precedence, even while longer-term processes are being completed in parallel.

Given this, he said the mayor’s remark that there is no need to constantly report on the pretext that Kong does not pay his salary “is deeply arrogant and misplaced”.

Kong said the public has every right to raise issues repeatedly when nothing is being done.

“As the Mayor, he is answerable to all residents who pay assessment rates, parking fees and other charges to MBKS. These contributions are made with the expectation that basic infrastructure will be maintained promptly and responsibly.

“MBKS must stop reacting only after failures occur. Preventive action is always cheaper, faster and safer than crisis management after a collapse,” he added.

On Sunday, Wee denied allegations that MBKS ignored public complaints about the collapsed drain, saying the claims did not reflect the actual sequence of events or the council’s efforts.

He said this in response to Kong’s earlier statement alleging that MBKS had disregarded long-standing complaints about cracks along the drain and implied that action was only taken after conditions worsened.

Related article: MBKS denies ignoring complaints over collapsed drain at Lrg Rock 1, says drain repair followed due process