Call for urgent action on soil erosion threat in Miri's Taman Lai Pau
Ling points to the torn canvas used to cover the eroded slope in Taman Lai Pau.
MIRI (June 19): Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) secretary Alan Ling has urged the Miri City Council (MCC) to take immediate and decisive action to address a serious case of soil erosion in Taman Lai Pau, which has been troubling residents since early January this year.
Ling said he received numerous complaints from residents regarding a landslide caused by soil erosion during the rainy season earlier this year. The incident reportedly led to a significant amount of soil slipping into the drainage system, blocking water flow and posing a risk of drain collapsing.
'This issue is extremely concerning and could potentially endanger the safety of those living nearby,' he said, adding that residents have repeatedly lodged complaints, fearing the worsening of the erosion.
He said he had formally written to the MCC regarding the issue and also forwarded a copy of the letter to the Land and Survey Department Miri in late April, shortly after residents alerted him to the problem.
However, Ling expressed disappointment that no follow-up action has been taken to date.
In addition to the formal letter, he said a report was also submitted through the Talikhidmat complaint system in an effort to draw the attention of the relevant authorities.
He highlighted that the canvas used to temporarily cover the eroded area has since torn due to prolonged exposure, worsening the situation.
'Every time it rains, more soil flows into the drain, causing further blockages and increasing the risk of the drainage system collapsing,' he explained.
Ling warned that continued delays by the authorities could lead to a disaster that may cost lives.
'We cannot afford to wait until a tragedy happens before taking this seriously. The safety and well-being of the residents must be a priority,' he stressed.
In view of this, Ling urged MCC and other responsible agencies to take proactive and effective steps to resolve the issue before the next rainy season arrives.
'This is an emergency. It must be treated with urgency and not be pushed aside,' he added. Alan Ling landslide lead miri soil erosion Taman Lai Pau
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