Sibu Jaya flat residents hold ‘miring’ ritual, demand stricter safety after pond tragedy

SIBU (Feb 9): Residents of Sibu Jaya flats held a ‘miring’ ritual on Sunday following a recent drowning tragedy at a sewage pond near the housing area that claimed the lives of three children.

The ritual was attended by pro-tem chairpersons of the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) of Sibu Jaya flats, who expressed serious concern over safety issues in the densely populated residential area.

They stated that the high population density at the flats requires stricter, more systematic and comprehensive safety measures than those in ordinary residential areas.

Block N pro-tem JKKK chairperson Lorita Sawang said the tragedy exposed significant shortcomings in environmental safety management at the flats, particularly at high-risk locations close to residential blocks.

“Safety infrastructure, such as fencing around the sewage pond, is no longer functioning effectively, thereby increasing risks to residents, especially children.

“In high-density residential areas, any safety lapse cannot be regarded as a minor issue as the implications involve a large number of residents,” she said.

The Sibu Jaya flats comprise 20 blocks with each block accommodating 80 units.

Block A head Osman Abdullah shared Lorita’s view, saying that the high population density makes the need for safety controls more critical and cannot be minimal.

He added that safety risks at the flats have also increased following the development of new projects in the surrounding area, which have altered the environmental landscape and increased exposure to hazardous locations.

“In residential areas like this that are facing rapid development, safety risk assessments must be carried out regularly and accompanied by clear mitigation measures,” he said.

Meanwhile, Block H head Muhammad Hazim Abdullah proposed that a concrete wall of about six feet be constructed around high-risk areas as a physical protection measure.

“This should form part of a long-term safety plan and not merely be a reaction to tragic incidents such as the recent one,” he said.

At the same time, residents urged that recreational areas within the flats be cleaned and maintained more systematically to ensure children have safe spaces to play.

They also called for all illegal structures around the flats to be demolished to prevent children from wandering into hazardous locations.

Residents stressed that safety assurances in the area must be translated into clear policies, consistent enforcement and continuous monitoring.

They expressed hope that the relevant authorities would take immediate and comprehensive action to ensure the safety of the Sibu Jaya flats community, in line with safety standards for high-density residential areas.