Ting (centre) speaks during the council meeting today while Izkandar (left) and Sait look on.
SIBU (March 26): The Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) is actively working on solutions to address the landslide-affected site at Lorong Rantau Panjang Jaya, with no delays in rectifying the issue, said its chairman Clarence Ting.
He stated that the council, together with relevant agencies, convened again today to discuss the matter.
In the initial proposal during the previous meeting, it was suggested for sheet piling to be implemented at the affected site.
However, Ting said the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) has advised that, given the high cost—approximately RM7 million—it would be more practical to build a new house for the affected residents instead.
“Since sheet piling is the most expensive option, costing about RM7 million, the government thinks it is more sensible to build a new house for the affected residents,” he said during today’s meeting.
He further clarified that the landslide was not caused by a design flaw.
“According to SDMC, Jalan Song-Temalat in Kapit division is still vulnerable to landslides even after they have engaged four consultants.
“Hillside development is not as simple as we think. Such an incident has never happened in Sibu,” he said.
The landslide, which struck on Feb 4, displaced 43 victims from 10 families at Lorong Rantau Panjang Jaya 7 and 12.
Since then, they have been staying at the temporary evacuation centre (PPS) at Kampung Bahagia Jaya Community Hall.
Also present at the meeting were SMC deputy chairman Mohammed Abdullah Izkandar Roseley and SMC secretary Sait Enggang.
