KOTA KINABALU: Residents in Sandakan have been forced to drive on dark and unsafe roads for years as recurring cable theft and vandalism cripples hundreds of streetlights across town.
Sandakan Municipal Council (MPS) president Walter Kenson said that while the public often blames the local council for inaction, the real issue lies in repeated sabotage, especially along six major roads that have become hotspots for theft.
The affected roads include Jalan Lintas Sibuga, Jalan Mangkalinau, Jalan Sungai Batang, Jalan Buli Sim-Sim, Jalan Lintas Utara, and Jalan Baru Sapi.
“These are not isolated cases. Every time we fix the lights, they go dark again within days. Panels are pried open, underground copper cables are stolen, and entire stretches – sometimes 20 or more streetlights – go out at once,” he said in an interview.
Walter said the vandalism had persisted for years, particularly in areas near squatter settlements, and that the damage not only cost the council time and money, but also harmed the town’s image and affected public safety.
“People keep asking why lights are installed but not working. The truth is, we replace them, but they get stolen again. It reflects badly on the council and the city,” he said.
In some areas, several elected representatives have stepped in, using their assemblyman allocations to install solar-powered lights as a temporary measure for public safety.
To address the problem, the council is switching to solar-powered streetlights in phases and has restructured its engineering unit to assign dedicated officers to monitor lighting infrastructure.
Walter also urged the public to report any suspicious activity to the council’s hotline (019-8896442) or the Sandakan police hotline (089-212222).
“We need the public’s cooperation. Only by working together can we stop this from happening over and over,” he said.
