Lahad Datu 27 January 2026
The public are justifiably worried over the tragic incident in Lahad Datu, where a vehicle plunged into an open sewer construction pit, resulting in the loss of a life and another person seriously injured. This preventable tragedy exposes serious gaps in public safety oversight and raises pressing questions about the competence and accountability of the authorities responsible for public infrastructure safety.
On-site observations reveal that the sewer pit was left open and dangerously close to the roadway. The right side of the pit had already encroached onto the road kerb, while the left side remained exposed. These conditions constituted a serious risk to road users, reflecting a lack of proactive safety planning and enforcement.
This fatal incident was entirely preventable. Adequate safety measures, including securely covering the pit, installing solid physical barriers, and placing prominent warning signage, should have been implemented long before this tragedy occurred. The absence of these essential precautions highlights a systemic failure in site management and regulatory enforcement.
Statements from the District Office confirm that existing safety measures were insufficient. Alarmingly, Bomba personnel at the scene stated that additional barriers were only installed after the accident to prevent further incidents. This is unacceptable and clearly demonstrates that the responsible authorities, including the Sabah State Sewerage Services Department, failed in their duty to protect the public.
I call on the relevant authorities including the Ministry of Public Works to provide a full explanation and to take immediate, tangible actions. It is imperative that those in charge demonstrate accountability, enforce stricter safety standards, and ensure that the lives of Sabah’s citizens are not placed at unnecessary risk.
The loss of life in this preventable incident is deeply regrettable. I urge decisive corrective measures and full accountability to prevent a repeat of such negligence. The People deserve nothing less.
Datu Shuaib Datu Mutalib
Vice President
Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP)