Ting (fourth left) inspects the landslide at Lorong Rantau Panjang Jaya.
SIBU (March 27): The road leading to Lorong Rantau Panjang Jaya will remain closed to all motorists as public safety remains the top priority.
Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman Clarence Ting stated that a small passageway had been temporarily opened to facilitate access for residents.
However, over time, it was observed that vehicular movement exacerbated soil erosion, increasing the risk of further landslides.
“So, at the request of the residents and for public safety, we have decided to close the road temporarily as the ground in the area remains unstable,” he told the landslide victims during a site visit today.
On Feb 4, a devastating landslide struck Rantau Panjang Jaya Lane 7 and Lane 12, displacing 43 individuals from 10 families.
Since then, the victims have been staying at the temporary evacuation centre (PPDS) at Kampung Bahagia Jaya community hall at night and returning to their homes during the day.
Ting confirmed that funding for the repair work has been approved.
“The council is now awaiting the official approval letter before collaborating with the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) to carry out the repair works,” he said.
He explained that the initial repair work proposal submitted to the Disaster Management Committee might have been overestimated, which contributed to approval delays.
Following discussions with relevant agencies, a simpler and more cost-effective alternative was proposed.
DID engineers have suggested constructing a concrete drain in the affected area, and SMC will work alongside DID to design and implement the necessary repairs.
Since the funding for this project was applied for and approved by SMC, he said the budget and execution will also be led by SMC.
“Once we receive the official letter from the Resident’s Office on the funding, we will work with DID to carry out detailed design and repair work to ensure the safety of the residents in the area,” said Ting.
He noted that the landslide was an unprecedented event in Sibu, as the town had never encountered a similar occurrence before.
Meanwhile, SMC deputy chairman Mohammed Abdullah Izkandar Roseley, in a Facebook post, reaffirmed SMC’s commitment to supporting affected residents by making the community hall available for their needs.
“We will continue to monitor the progress and update the community accordingly. Your patience and understanding are greatly appreciated,” he said.
Izkandar also mentioned that DID will appoint a consultant to handle the design and endorsement of the project.
“For this project, the appointed consultant must conduct a detailed site analysis, soil testing, geotechnical and hydrology study to design a solution that ensures long-term stability,” he added.
