PORTAL RASMI
JABATAN PERDANA MENTERI
AGENSI PENGURUSAN BENCANA NEGARA
JABATAN PERDANA MENTERI
AGENSI PENGURUSAN BENCANA NEGARA
IN JALAN Padungan, the heart of Kuching’s Chinatown lined with historical shophouses, the facade wall on the first floor of a corner lot collapsed in the early morning of April 6.
Firefighters from the Padungan station were dispatched to the scene after a call was received at 6.23am.
Thankfully there were no injuries reported.
Still, it is a cause for concern, not only with regard to safety but also the preservation of heritage buildings.
Such concerns were underscored by preliminary investigations by the Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR).
It deemed the affected unit and two intermediate shoplots to be unsafe.
Kuching South mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng said the incident was a wake-up call.
According to him, the century- old building was “not just a structure of wood and brick” but a part of Kuching’s living heritage.
“Many of the structures within the heart of Kuching are of considerable age, and while they are cherished as part of our cultural legacy, we must ensure they remain safe for those who live, work and walk among them,” he told a press conference following the incident.
Commendably, the authorities have acted promptly to initiate a coordinated response.
Kuching South City Council (MBKS) is working with the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department, JKR, Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) Sarawak branch and other relevant agencies to investigate the cause of the wall failure.
In addition, MBKS will work with technical experts to assess and review the structural safety of other century-old and potentially vulnerable buildings in its jurisdiction.
The city council also plans to introduce a more robust inspection framework, clearer maintenance guidelines and support, where possible, to building owners in need of assistance to preserve historical structures responsibly.
“If you are the owner or occupant of an old building and notice any signs of deterioration, please report it to the council immediately. Safety must always come first, and it is a shared responsibility,” said Wee.
Kuching North mayor Datuk Hilmy Othman also weighed in on the issue, pledging to collaborate strategically with MBKS to ensure that cultural buildings were well-maintained for generations to come.
“This incident is a reminder of the importance of proactive measures to protect not only our cultural heritage but also the safety and well-being of our people.
“Our city is home to many cultural treasures, including the historic row of shophouses along Gambier Street and Carpenter Street, the iconic Kuching Waterfront, the General Post Office and the Brooke Dockyard.
“These sites are not just physical structures, they are living symbols of our identity, our past and our shared community pride,” he said.
Hilmy said the Kuching North City Hall (DBKU) would conduct safety inspections of historical and aging buildings under its jurisdiction, while strengthening building maintenance regulations and enforcing compliance with safety standards.
The conservation and structural integrity of heritage sites must be prioritised, he added.
Both local authorities have expressed firm views about upholding safety and preserving heritage buildings.
Their stated commitment to regular inspections, better maintenance and enforcement is also timely and commendable.
Hopefully this will not remain mere words in the immediate aftermath of the Jalan Padungan incident, but will be turned into effective, concrete action to improve the safety of historical buildings.
Building owners must also do their part to maintain their properties well in compliance with regulations and proper standards, ensuring that they are structurally sound while respecting their heritage value.
After all, heritage buildings are an integral part of Kuching’s identity and cityscape.
Let’s not allow them to crumble into history due to poor maintenance, which would not only be a loss to the city’s cultural heritage but could also potentially endanger public safety.
SHAH ALAM: The Selangor government will hold a coordination meeting tomorrow to address flash flood issues, particularly in Shah Alam and Klang.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the meeting will involve all relevant parties, including the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA), Klang Royal City Council (MBDK), and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage, to address the matter immediately.
“I witnessed firsthand the impact of the flash floods caused by the high rainfall this week, which significantly affected residents, especially in areas such as Taman Melawis in Klang and Taman Sri Muda in Shah Alam.
“My office has also been contacted by residents expressing their concern and anxiety over the recurring situation, as components of the flood mitigation plan appear to be progressing very slowly,“ he said in a statement today.
Amirudin said state Infrastructure and Agriculture Exco Ir Izham Hashim has been tasked with urgently addressing all issues that hinder flood mitigation efforts at the local, state, and federal levels. Additionally, a meeting with affected residents is on the cards.
“A long-term solution must be implemented as soon as possible through the cooperation of all parties, including the Federal Government.
“Although nearly four years have passed, the traumatic episode of the massive floods in December 2021 still lingers on in the memory of every Selangor resident. No one wants to see it happen again,“ he said.
It was reported that over 1,500 residents gathered to demand a permanent resolution to end the flood woes in Taman Sri Muda, Kota Kemuning, and Batu 8 near here today.
Resident spokesman K. Umagandhan said the protest expressed frustration over the community’s ongoing flood problems.
SHAH ALAM: Kerajaan Selangor merancang untuk menghantar pegawai Unit Pengurusan Bencana Negeri ke luar negara selewat-lewatnya Jun ini bagi memperkukuh kemahiran dalam pengurusan pasca bencana, kata Exco Belia dan Sukan negeri Mohd Najwan Halimi.
Mohd Najwan yang juga Exco Pengurusan Bencana berkata langkah tersebut dirasakan perlu sebagai persediaan menghadapi bencana luar jangka seperti insiden letupan saluran gas di Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, atau bencana alam lain seperti gempa bumi.
“Tiada siapa yang mahu berdepan dengan bencana, namun Kerajaan Selangor mahu semua pegawai unit pengurusan bencana diperlengkapkan dengan kemahiran terkini berdasarkan pengalaman negara maju seperti Jepun.
“Walaupun sebelum ini Malaysia dianggap kurang berisiko dilanda bencana seperti gempa bumi, perubahan pergerakan plat tektonik yang kini turut menggoncang negara jiran seperti Filipina dan Thailand kebelakangan ini wajar diberi perhatian,” katanya.
Beliau berkata demikian ketika ditemui pemberita pada Majlis Rumah Terbuka Aidilfitri Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Kota Anggerik di Kompleks Belia dan Sukan Selangor, Seksyen 7, di sini hari ini.
Mohd Najwan berkata pihaknya optimis bahawa inisiatif sedia ada, termasuk mencontohi kaedah pengurusan bencana negara seperti Jepun, dapat memberi input penting kepada Unit Pengurusan Bencana Negeri.
“Saya percaya usaha ini akan mendedahkan kita (unit pengurusan bencana) kepada kemahiran baharu, sekali gus membentuk gerak kerja lebih berkesan dan bersesuaian dengan keperluan semasa,” katanya.
Terdahulu, Mohd Najwan yang juga Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Kota Anggerik menerima kehadiran lebih 5,000 tetamu pada majlis rumah terbuka berkenaan.
Kuala Lumpur: Ribut petir, hujan lebat dan angin kencang diramal membadai ibu kota selain sembilan negeri lain sehingga jam 10 malam ini.
Selain Jeli di Kelantan dan Bentong, Pahang, Jabatan Meteorologi Malaysia (MetMalaysia) dalam hantaran di Facebook memaklumkan cuaca itu dijangka di Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan.
Katanya, amaran cuaca itu juga dikeluarkan bagi Kedah membabitkan kawasan Padang Terap, Yan, Pendang, Kuala Muda, Sik, Baling, Kulim dan Bandar Baharu.
"Di Perak, hujan lebat diramal berlaku di Larut, Matang Dan Selama, Hulu Perak, Kuala Kangsar, Kinta, Perak Tengah, Kampar, Hilir Perak, Batang Padang dan Muallim.
BANGKOK: Pihak berkuasa Thailand menahan seorang eksekutif warga China yang bekerja dengan syarikat pembinaan sebuah pencakar langit di Bangkok yang runtuh akibat gempa bumi besar, menyebabkan puluhan mangsa terkorban.
Menara 30 tingkat itu musnah menjadi timbunan runtuhan apabila gempa bumi berukuran 7.7 pada skala Richter melanda negara jiran, Myanmar, bulan lalu, mengorbankan 47 orang di tapak pembinaan dan 47 lagi masih hilang.
Menteri Kehakiman Thailand, Tawee Sodsong, dalam sidang media semalam, berkata mahkamah Thailand mengeluarkan waran tangkap terhadap empat individu, termasuk tiga warga tempatan, yang berkhidmat dengan China Railway No 10, kerana melanggar Akta Perniagaan Asing.
Jabatan Siasatan Khas (DSI) di bawah Kementerian Kehakiman dalam satu kenyataan memaklumkan bahawa seorang daripada suspek sudah ditahan iaitu wakil syarikat warga China dikenali sebagai Zhang.
China Railway No 10 adalah sebahagian daripada usaha sama dengan syarikat Itali-Thai membina menara pejabat audit negara sebelum insiden runtuhan berlaku.
Zhang disenaraikan sebagai pemegang saham sebanyak 49 peratus dalam syarikat berkenaan, manakala tiga rakyat Thailand memegang baki 51 peratus saham.
Namun, Tawee berkata kepada wartawan bahawa pihaknya mempunyai bukti yang menyatakan rakyat Thailand terbabit memegang saham bagi pihak asing.
"Kami mempunyai bukti... bahawa ketiga-tiga rakyat Thailand itu memegang saham bagi pihak asing yang lain," katanya.
Di bawah Akta Perniagaan Asing, warga asing hanya dibenarkan memegang maksimum 49 peratus saham dalam sesebuah syarikat.
Dalam perkembangan berasingan, Tawee berkata, beberapa siasatan berhubung runtuhan itu masih dijalankan, termasuk dakwaan penipuan tender dan penggunaan tandatangan jurutera palsu dalam kontrak penyeliaan pembinaan.
Awal bulan ini, pegawai keselamatan Thailand memaklumkan bahawa ujian terhadap keluli tetulang (rebar) dari tapak pembinaan mendapati sebahagian daripada logam yang digunakan adalah berkualiti rendah.
Menara itu adalah satu-satunya bangunan utama di ibu kota yang runtuh dalam gempa bumi dahsyat pada 28 Mac lalu, meragut lebih 3,700 nyawa di Thailand dan Myanmar. – AFP