Lee Kim Shin Inspects High-Risk Landslide Areas in Miri, Urges Relevant Departments to Respond Swiftly

(Miri, 4th) The Minister of Transport of Sarawak, Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, visited several high-risk landslide areas at Canada Hill in Miri this morning and urged the relevant departments to take swift measures to prevent another disaster and ensure the safety of local residents.

 Lee Kim Shin stated during an interview at Kampung Haji Wahie that recent frequent rainfall has continuously loosened the soil in hillside areas, causing multiple landslides that pose a threat to residents. To address this, he held a meeting with the Miri Division Disaster Management Committee yesterday to specifically discuss the landslide risks in areas such as Kampung Leleng Bukit, Kampung Haji Wahie, and the Mount Canada oil well, and decided to launch a comprehensive investigation to identify high-risk areas, particularly the affected range of Mount Canada.

Lee Kim Shin, along with members of the committee, conducted on-site investigations this morning and found four severe landslide locations at Mount Canada, which have been listed as high-risk areas. The authorities will implement emergency reinforcement measures. He noted that authorities have covered the affected hillsides with protective cloths to prevent further erosion and have asked the committee to carefully assess risks, provide safety guidance to residents, and remain vigilant during the rainy season to prevent a secondary disaster.

“Currently, the weather is still unstable. The Sarawak government does not wish similar disasters to occur again that might threaten the lives and property of hillside residents.”

Additionally, he expressed concern about the road conditions from Kampung Haji Wahie to the Mount Canada oil well, noting that some parts of the road have been eroded. He urged drivers to exercise caution when passing that section to avoid accidents.

“I have requested experts from the Malaysian Public Works Department to study the terrain of the hillside and provide detailed reports and repair recommendations. Meanwhile, the Miri District Disaster Management Committee will enhance patrols and arrange for nighttime monitoring to ensure immediate detection and response to any anomalies.”

Li Jingsheng stated that the Malaysian Public Works Department has completed a preliminary risk assessment report and is awaiting the complete investigation results. Once the report is released, the Sarawak government will decide on subsequent actions, including reinforcing slopes, extending protective measures, or re-planning road safety schemes. He also instructed the Miri Public Works Department and Miri City Council to strengthen the maintenance of hillside roads and drainage systems to reduce flood risks.

He urged the public to remain vigilant, especially during the rainy season, and to avoid high-risk areas, also adhering to safety guidelines issued by authorities to ensure personal and community safety.

On-site residents also conveyed to Lee Kim Shin that due to landslides on the hillside roads leading to an oil well, there are safety hazards during night driving, thus they requested the authorities to install lighting on the relevant road sections to enhance nighttime driving safety.