SIBU: Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee, has called on house owners in Rejang Park here, who were affected by a long-standing sewage issue, to come forward and claim reimbursement for toilet repair expenses incurred using their own funds.
Tiang said the Sarawak Government had approved financial assistance for 320 house owners who bore the cost of repairing faulty toilets caused by the collapse of a decades-old centralised sewage system in the area.
“This issue has been going on for more than 10 years. The centralised sewage system, built in the 1970s, collapsed after four decades, affecting both residential homes and shop lots.
“Toilets couldn’t be used, creating serious hygiene and health problems for the community,” he told reporters during a walkabout at Rejang Park recently.
Recalling his efforts in 2018 as Political Secretary to the Premier, Tiang said he had appealed to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for funds to address the issue.
“I asked for RM3 million to help repair the toilets by abandoning the centralised system and replacing it with individual septic tanks.
“Thankfully, our Premier approved the request, and the project was carried out under Sibu Municipal Council (SMC).
“Most of the residential houses were repaired.
“However, a number of commercial shop lots continued using the centralised system with upgraded underground piping,” he added.
Following the project’s completion, Tiang received appeals from home owners who had undertaken toilet repairs at their own expenses prior to the government-funded initiative.
They requested reimbursement, as others had benefited from state support.
“During the 2021 state election, I pledged that if elected, I would pursue reimbursement for these house owners and I’ve kept that promise,” he said.
After navigating what he described as a long and technical process, Tiang again secured the Premier’s approval for financial aid to benefit the remaining 320 households.
However, he said the current challenge lies in locating and verifying the rightful owners.
“Our kapitan has been working hard to track down all 320 house owners, but some are unreachable, a few have passed away without transferring ownership, some are living overseas, and others refuse to entertain our team, fearing they are being scammed,” he said.
Tiang said he has taken it upon himself to visit homes personally to provide assurance and verify claims.
“The amount to be reimbursed will be announced later, but at this stage, it is vital that we identify all eligible recipients,” he added.
Eligible house owners are urged to contact the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Pelawan service centre and bring along their MyKad, land title, and latest assessment bill for verification.
