SIBU: The Central Region division of the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) urges all parties to stop engaging in a blame game following the collapse of a shoplot in Jalan Pahlawan on Feb 13.
The division instead called for accountability and concrete action to address public safety risks.
In a statement Monday (Feb 23), the division voiced support for party chairman Datuk Tiong King Sing, who is also Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister, questioning the purpose of governance if current leaders continued to blame past administrations rather than resolve long-standing issues.
It said Tiong had repeatedly raised concerns over flood mitigation and drainage problems in Sibu, stressing the need for systematic and long-term solutions instead of temporary fixes.
The division claimed many areas in Sibu still relied on basic earth drains which were unable to cope with heavy rainfall, resulting in recurring floods, weakened soil conditions and increased structural risks.
It also alleged there was no comprehensive drainage master plan or clear timeline for improvement works.
Describing the situation as a matter of public safety, the division noted that the collapsed building housed a tuition centre and warned that serious consequences could have occurred had the incident happened during the day.
It also criticised responses from members of Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP) who defended the situation, urging leaders to focus on delivering effective solutions rather than shifting responsibility.
Central Region PDP said leaders in power must take responsibility, emphasising that genuine progress requires acknowledging shortcomings and implementing real engineering improvements to prevent future incidents.
