KUCHING — The Council of the City of Kuching South (MBKS) has raised the alarm over the increasing number of missing or open manhole covers across the city, especially those under the care of external utility providers.
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Mayor of Kuching South, Dato Wee Hong Seng, expressed deep concern after several ground inspections revealed hazardous conditions in various areas. While MBKS continues to maintain the manholes under its own responsibility, it has noted with growing unease that some manhole covers managed by other authorities — including Telekom Malaysia, Sarawak Energy Berhad, the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Sarawak, and Kuching Water Board — are either left open or completely missing.
“These open manholes are not just an eyesore, they are a danger to life and limb,” said Dato Wee. “They pose a real threat to pedestrians, cyclists and even drivers. We cannot afford to turn a blind eye to this.”
MBKS has taken proactive steps by issuing official letters to the respective agencies, urging them to conduct immediate checks and take corrective action. The council is requesting all affected utility departments to replace missing or broken covers and ensure proper safety standards are maintained across all sites.
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“Public safety is our top priority,” Dato Wee stressed. “We are committed to keeping our city safe, but we need cooperation from all parties. I urge the relevant agencies to treat this matter with urgency before another unfortunate incident happens.”
MBKS will continue with routine monitoring and is also appealing to members of the public to report any missing or damaged manhole covers via the Talikhidmat or iPeople app, or by contacting the council directly.
This joint responsibility, according to Dato Wee, is crucial in upholding Kuching’s safety and cleanliness standards.
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“Let us all play our part. Together, we can ensure that Kuching remains a safe city for everyone,” he added.
