SANDAKAN: A 150m section of Bukit Sim-Sim gave way on Saturday (Sept 19) night, barely 100m from the site of last year's giant boulder fall.
The latest incident, involving the movement of soil and rocks, occurred at about 9.05pm on Saturday and has again raised safety concerns over the slope along Jalan Buli Sim-Sim.
During the incident, small rocks and loose soil could be seen tumbling down the slope, which lasted for about two hours.
Sandakan Fire and Rescue Department said it received an emergency call over Saturday's incident at 9.19pm and arrived at the scene eight minutes later.
Firefighters found that the affected slope was away from residential areas but posed a potential risk to road users.
No one was injured and the debris did not reach the road.
However, the Sandakan District Disaster Management Committee (JPBD) said the area remained a safety concern, particularly if prolonged rain triggered further soil or rock movement.
Committee chairman Datuk Walter Kenson said initial observations showed the affected stretch measured about 150m.
A multi-agency inspection was carried out on Sunday involving the Sandakan Municipal Council (MPS), Civil Defence Force, police, Fire and Rescue Department, Public Works Department (JKR) and Rela.
MPS deputy president I Irman Tajuddin Edy, speaking following the inspection, said the committee decided to restrict access to the area for public safety.
"After assessing the situation at the location, the District Disaster Management Committee decided that, for public safety, the road will be closed for a week," he said when met at the site.
He added that JKR's slope unit will carry out an assessment to determine when the road can safely be reopened.
Jalan Buli Sim-Sim from the Chinese temple towards Taman Grandview, as well as the hiking trail near Astana Heights, will be closed from Sept 20 to 26.
JKR's slope unit will continue monitoring the area for further movement and changes to the slope.
The closure period is subject to its technical assessment before authorities decide whether the affected routes can be reopened.
The latest collapse occurred about 100m from another major incident in April last year, when a huge boulder measuring about 4m high and 11m long fell onto Jalan Buli Sim-Sim and completely blocked the road.
That incident forced authorities to close a 500m stretch while the slope was assessed for further rockfall risk.
No injuries were reported then.
