KUCHING: Dato Wee Hong Seng, Mayor of Kuching South City Council, expressed his deep concern over the crane accident at a construction site along Lorong Stutong Baru 4, which occurred on Feb 12 this year. The crane toppled and hit two adjacent houses, damaging their roof structures but luckily without anyone being injured.
Dato Wee quickly went to the site to take a look at the situation and call for professional advice from IEM Sarawak so that proper engineering procedures are observed. He was accompanied by Acting City Secretary Mr Wong Ming Kong, MBKS officers and representatives of IEM Sarawak led by its Chairman, Ir Dr Angelia Liew San Chuin, and Vice Chairman, Ir Edison Lim Kim Ong.
IEM Sarawak, in its statement, noted that any assessment of structural safety and habitability needs to be performed by an unrelated structural professional engineer with a practising certificate (PEPC) under the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM). It also stressed the need for detailed documentation and certification to be in place for any remedial works, which would ensure continued compliance and safety over time.
Repairs at the affected houses have already commenced, and the developer has taken responsibility for this damage to homes. MBKS, however, said that it takes this matter seriously due to public safety and private property concerns.
Dato Wee reiterated the council’s position, saying: “Public safety will always be our top priority. There is no room for negotiation when it comes to safety compliance at construction sites under our jurisdiction. All safety requirements must be followed by contractors and developers to avoid situations like this.”
He also thanked IEM Sarawak for its prompt response and professional steering in upholding engineering governance and protecting public interest. MBKS urged the developer and all parties concerned to fully cooperate with the investigation so that the process is transparent, as well as a fair solution for affected residents.
The council has vowed to maintain vigilance and warned that decisive measures will be taken against any breaches of safety rules. The incident is a grisly reminder of the importance of strict compliance with engineering standards, particularly for construction projects located in proximity to residential areas.
