Kota Kinabalu: City Hall (DBKK) wants building owners in the city, especially ageing ones, to carry out structural integrity tests and regular maintenance to avoid Friday night’s incident where the entire first floor at a block in Segama Complex collapsed.
Its Director-General Lifred Wong said the local authority has legal provisions to require owners, especially ageing buildings, to conduct these tests.
“Last year, we issued numerous notices instructing owners to conduct maintenance, particularly for buildings that are extremely old, dilapidated and poorly maintained.
“We will continue this effort to ensure building owners perform regular maintenance, as we do not want any unwanted incidents to occur,” he said.
The incident saw a woman suffering a fractured leg after being struck by falling debris while on the ground floor of the two-storey restaurant operated by her son. Her husband was also slightly injured.
Fortunately, customers of the restaurant which specialises in Chinese Muslim fare had left after breaking their fast when it happened at 7.50pm.
It is understood that the collapsed first floor was used as a lodging house. The collapse created a large hole in the first-floor structure.
It is believed to have been caused by a weakened floor due to the building’s age.
A similar call was made by Member of Parliament (MP) for Kota Kinabalu, Datuk Chan Foong Hin.
“I have received feedback from DBKK. The buildings in that area were constructed in the 1970s, so there may be weaknesses in the building materials used at the time.
In fact, DBKK has been requesting building owners to conduct these tests since last year. Some have complied,” he said.
Chan, who is also the Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodities, said in the initial phase, DBKK would instruct shoplot owners near the site of the incident to conduct the necessary tests.
“After that, we will instruct other shop building owners to do the same.”
