By Minul Islam Rony SIBU – The tragic death of a two-year-old boy who fell into an open manhole at Jalan Wong Soon Kai has sparked serious concern, prompting Sarawak Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee, to call for swift and decisive action.
The heartbreaking incident, which occurred on Tuesday, has shocked the community and highlighted an alarming gap in public safety. At a press conference held at the Pelawan DUN Service Centre on Wednesday, Datuk Michael Tiang expressed deep sorrow over the loss and extended his condolences to the grieving family.
“This is a very sad tragedy that should not have happened,” he said, adding that this incident reveals the need for immediate inspection and repair of urban infrastructure.
He urged the Sibu Municipal Council (MPS), Sibu Divisional Public Works Department (JKR), and the Sibu Irrigation and Drainage Department (JPS) to immediately launch a comprehensive inspection across their areas of responsibility to locate and replace missing or broken manhole covers.
According to him, he had already contacted the MPS Chairman, divisional JKR engineer, and JPS officers to coordinate a rapid response. “Whether under local or federal jurisdiction, responsible agencies must act now,” he stressed.
Datuk Tiang, who is also the Pelawan State Assemblyman, called on the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) to crack down on individuals involved in the theft and illegal sale of scrap metal — especially manhole covers, which are often targeted.
“This careless and selfish act puts innocent lives in danger. It must stop immediately,” he said firmly.
He also reminded that urban safety is a shared responsibility, especially when it comes to protecting children.
“We must treat this tragedy as a wake-up call. Everyone — from the government to the public — must play their part to prevent such incidents from happening again,” he concluded.
The incident is a sobering reminder of the importance of infrastructure maintenance and the need for consistent monitoring of high-risk public zones to ensure the safety of all, especially young children. — UKAS EDITION