SIBU (Feb 27): Residents of Lorong Rantau Panjang Jaya 7 remain in uncertainty as new cracks and structural defects continue to emerge near their homes following a landslide on Feb 4.

They are urgently appealing for assistance from the relevant authorities, stating that the disaster has severely disrupted their livelihoods and well-being.

Currently, 43 landslide victims are sheltering at the evacuation centre at Kampong Bahagia Jaya Civic Centre.

While they stay at the relief centre during the night and on rainy days, they return home during the daytime.

“We are not sure how long the situation will last and we just hope somebody can stand out to help us resolve the predicament we are facing,” the residents said.

The landslide on Feb 4 affected both Lorong Rantau Panjang Jaya 7 and 12, causing a road collapse in front of the residential houses.

Eight families in Lorong Rantau Panjang Jaya 7 and two in Lorong Rantau Panjang Jaya 12 were impacted.

This was the first time the area experienced a landslide, and since then, more cracks have appeared on the ground and fences in front of the houses.

“The walls and ground in the backyards also developed noticeable cracks and other structural defects which left us in deep headaches,” they lamented.

One of the residents reported that the pillars of his car porch had developed cracks, and many of the existing fissures had widened.

Just yesterday afternoon, another section of soil from the collapsed road gave way.

“Hopefully, the relevant authorities will promptly carry out remedial work on the collapsed road to prevent the situation from worsening.”

Some residents have taken to social media, sharing videos of the damage in hopes of drawing attention from the authorities.

Meanwhile, Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) deputy chairman Mohammed Abdullah Izkandar Roseley, in a Facebook post, stated that SMC held a meeting on Feb 26 to gather feedback and estimated budgets from relevant agencies for immediate rectification work.

He said the meeting, chaired by SMC Chairman Clarence Ting and attended by officials from relevant government departments, endorsed the initial design and identified the developer responsible for constructing the retaining wall.

“SMC is committed to ensure an effective solution to restore safety in the affected area,” he said.

However, residents staying at the evacuation centre are frustrated with the food provided and sanitation issues at the facility.

They claimed that meals consist mostly of curry, which is unsuitable for those with stomach issues.

“Additionally, the toilets are broken and the flushing system is not working.”

Today, representatives from SMC, the Public Works Department (JKR), the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID), contractors, local community leaders, and three senior officials from Kuching visited the site to assess the situation.