KUCHING – The North Kuching City Hall (DBKU) strongly condemned a break-in and theft at an electrical control room of the Taman Hussein Flyover, resulting in the decorative lighting system being non-functioning, concerning to public safety.
Hence, DBKU said the unknown suspects had broken into the control room by breaking through its wall and entered violently. The facility had electrical appliances vandalised and stolen, which cuts off the power supply to the lighting system of the flyover at night.
The upturned streetlights have not just ruined the look of the city but also pose a danger to motorists and pedestrians who depend on the lights for safe passage.
The flyover, a busy crossing used by daily commuters in their hundreds, is now bereft of ornamental lighting that was set up for both safety and to maintain the aesthetic appeal of the city.
Authorities have in general stressed that public property belongs to everyone, and it is the duty of all to protect it. “Public property is everyone’s. It is a joint responsibility to take care of it for the community’s welfare and comfort,” said DBKU.
The incident highlights the broader problem of vandalism and theft of public facilities in city streets. These place a financial burden on infrastructure but also affect services and quality of life for residents.
DBKU has called on members of the public to provide any information that could lead to the identification of those responsible. Those with information are urged to report directly to DBKU at 082-446644 or via WhatsApp at 016-886 4466.
The city authority has also warned to remind residents again that it is crucial for the people to preserve public amenities in order to uphold Kuching’s status as a safe and hospitable city.
Ornamental lighting, even though it serves aesthetics and is purely the application of techniques in artificial illumination, however has its role in making a location visible, and a lack of it makes night travelling risky.
Local site users observe that vandalism on such public facilities happened in other parts of Sarawak too; therefore, more community watch and pre-emptive measures are called for.
The alert is likely to force a security review at sensitive locations such as control rooms and utility installations, if they have not already been conducted by the authorities.
The Taman Hussein Flyover heist is a lesson on the need for good citizenship. DBKU has pledged to rectify the lighting system to maintain the safety of, and improve the aesthetic ambiance at, the flyover for all road users.
The public are advised to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity in or around public places. Together we can play a part in preserving the infrastructure of the city and building our Kuching to be safe, and an attractive urban centre worth living in.
