Wee (left) and an MBKS official discover an uncovered manhole in Kuching. – Photo from MBKS
KUCHING (Aug 7): The Kuching South City Council (MBKS) is calling for urgent action to address the issue of missing or open manhole covers across the city, which pose serious safety risks to both motorists and pedestrians.
In a statement today, Kuching South Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng said several uncovered or unsecured manholes were discovered during recent ground inspections.
While MBKS continues to monitor and maintain manholes under its jurisdiction, he noted that some of the affected manholes fall under the responsibility of other utility providers.
“The matter requires urgent collective action to prevent accidents and ensure public safety,” he said.
According to Wee, the manholes in question are under the purview of agencies such as Telekom Malaysia, Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB), the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Sarawak, and the Kuching Water Board.
MBKS has officially written to Telekom Malaysia, SEB, and DID Sarawak, urging them to inspect and replace all missing or damaged manhole covers without delay.
Emphasising that public safety remains MBKS’ top priority, Wee said it is crucial for the issue to be addressed before any untoward incidents occur.
“I trust the relevant agencies will act promptly and responsibly,” he said.
He also assured the public that MBKS will continue its routine inspections of public infrastructure.
At the same time, he encouraged the public to report any open or damaged manholes via the Talikhidmat platform, the iPeople mobile application, or by contacting MBKS directly.
“Let us work together to ensure Kuching remains a safe and liveable city for everyone,” said Wee.