Sibu: Sibu MP Oscar Ling Chai Yew, has called for a comprehensive reform of land development planning in the town following a recent shophouse collapse and multiple cases of ground subsidence affecting commercial properties.
“Land in Sibu must be classified more systematically, with clear identification of areas suitable for construction and those deemed unsafe, to protect property buyers and safeguard public safety,” he said.
Ling was commenting on the collapse of a shophouse at the corner of Jalan Pahlawan, as well as a separate incident involving a row of shophouses that experienced ground subsidence, compromising their structural integrity.
According to him, the Sarawak Government particularly the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Sarawak should reassess land development conditions and planning policies across the state.
“Amendments to existing laws may be necessary to strengthen building standards, improve monitoring mechanisms and introduce provisions requiring developers to bear responsibility for structural defects within a specified liability period.
“Geological conditions in Sibu have contributed to widespread subsidence and structural damage, with some buildings aged between 10 and 20 years already showing signs of sinking,” he said.
He added that the issue is no longer confined to Bukit Assek but has been reported in other parts of the town as well.
He stressed that homeowners who purchase properties with their life savings should not be left to shoulder the financial burden of repairs caused by subsidence.
While government-funded rebuilding at no cost to buyers would be ideal, he said the current reality is that affected homeowners must bear the costs themselves.
“The government should not simply shift responsibility to developers or attribute the issue solely to geological factors without seeking a comprehensive solution,” he said.
Ling also urged state authorities and local councils to play a stronger role in land development oversight through effective legislation and enforcement.
“All construction projects must strictly comply with designated land classifications. Swampy or structurally weak land unsuitable for building should be reserved for alternative uses rather than being developed for residential or commercial purposes.
“My office has received numerous complaints related to building defects, including cases involving low-income families who purchased affordable housing only to see their homes suffer subsidence and wall collapses after more than a decade,” he said.
Many, he said, are forced to continue living in unsafe conditions due to a lack of alternative accommodation.
In addition, Ling highlighted the issue of abandoned housing projects in Sibu, where buyers are still required to service housing loans despite incomplete construction.
He called for stricter and more transparent approval processes for development projects, emphasising that firm action must be accompanied by transparency to effectively resolve such issues.
Ling also expressed sympathy for traders affected by the Jalan Pahlawan shophouse collapsed and affected business operators may visit his P.212 Service Centre at Rejang Park Commercial Centre in Sibu to apply for disaster assistance, or contact 084-322001 and 017-8331085 for further information.
He expressed hope that the Jalan Pahlawan incident would serve as a warning and prompt urgent reforms to Sarawak’s land development policies to ensure the safety of lives and property.
