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SMC team replaces missing manhole covers after boy’s death in Sibu

Disiarkan pada 05 Aug 2025
Sumber Berita: The Borneo Post (Conny Banji)

SMC staff reinstalling one of the missing manhole covers along Jalan Dr Wong Soon Kai.SMC staff reinstalling one of the missing manhole covers along Jalan Dr Wong Soon Kai.

SIBU (Aug 5): The Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) Serve Team has replaced opened manhole covers along the storm drain in Jalan Dr Wong Soon Kai, where a two-year-old boy fell in and drowned yesterday, said its chairman Clarence Ting.

He said the team also installed warning lines this afternoon for manholes with missing covers.

“Our SMC Serve Team has already checked and helped to put back those opened covers and install warning lines for those missing,” he said when contacted today.

According to Ting, the team has repeatedly discovered drain covers removed or stolen in various areas of Sibu during their inspections.

Some covers, he noted, were opened by individuals fishing in the area, who then failed to replace them.

He admitted that such situations pose a safety hazard not only for children but also for adults.

“Even adults can get into accidents if they are not careful, let alone children.

“I am deeply saddened and regretful about this accident. Regardless of which department is responsible, we cannot accept that a life was taken in this way.

“Following this accident, the focus is not on blaming each other, but on strengthening safety precautions as soon as possible to prevent recurrence of similar tragedies,” he said.

SMC Engineering Division confirmed that the incident occurred along Jalan Dr Wong Soon Kai, in a monsoon drain under jurisdiction of the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID), he said.

The DID Sibu engineer also confirmed with him that the area falls under the department’s responsibility.

“The council has received similar reports in the past, such as reports of open or missing drain covers.

“Whenever such reports are made, the council will promptly replace missing covers or put the covers back,” he said.