KUCHING: A burst water pipe has been identified as the cause of a road surface issue in the city, prompting temporary stabilisation works which were completed earlier this morning.
Mayor of Kuching South City Council (MBKS), Datuk Wee Hong Seng said the affected area was patched up at around 9 am, following an inspection that revealed water leakage beneath the surface had compromised the road structure.
Speaking to reporters during the Hari Raya open house officiated by Chief Political Secretary to the Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman at Dewan Hikmah today, he said initial observations differed from the actual condition underground.
“When we checked the surface, it appeared minor, but after further inspection and excavation, it told a different story as there was a burst water pipe,” he said.
He said immediate temporary measures were taken to ensure public safety and maintain road usability.
“We backfilled the affected area with large stones to stabilise the base, followed by premix surfacing, and placed safety cones to alert road users,” he said.
Wee added that MBKS has referred the matter to the relevant water authority for follow-up action.
“A complaint has been submitted to the Water Board, and once they come in, the area will be reopened for proper repair works,” he said.
On the incident, he also urged the public to prioritise reporting issues directly to the authorities instead of posting them on social media first.
“While we appreciate public concern, notifying the relevant authority first will allow quicker action to be taken,” he said.
He noted that although social media can help raise awareness, it should not replace formal reporting channels, especially in matters involving public safety.
“If there is a fire, you call Bomba immediately, not post it online first,” he said, adding that timely reporting can prevent situations from worsening.
Wee also reminded the public that viral posts could affect the city’s image, as information shared online can spread beyond local boundaries.
