Photo shows Liew (seated at right) stressing a point to Kapitan Li.
KOTA KINABALU: It is about time that the relevant authorities consider reviewing the open drainage system within the Lintas Square Commercial Centre, Jalan Lintas here, suggests Api-Api Assemblywoman Datuk Christina Liew.
She made the suggestion in the wake of a mishap involving a local community leader who fell into a two-foot wide and six-foot deep open drain and injured himself seriously.
“I understand that prior to Monday’s incident, several fall accidents had occurred in the same area, yet no warning sign had been put up by the authorities.
“For the sake of public safety, it is important to cover open drains which are found to be vulnerable as unattended children and unsuspecting senior citizens risk falling into the drains and hurting themselves physically, while going about their daily activities.
“Alternatively, safety features such as fencing or railings could be installed to protect motorists and pedestrians,” Liew said in a statement after visiting Kapitan Li Su Fook at the KPJ Specialist Hospital here on Wednesday.
She was accompanied by PKR Kota Kinabalu Branch Wanita Chief Vivien Lee.
The victim, who suffered two fractured ribs in the accident which also caused harm to his liver, has been hospitalised since Monday midnight. “I was in great pain and on IV drip. Today, I feel much better,” 49-year-old Kapitan Li told the Api-Api Assemblywoman as he showed the cuts on the right side of his chest. “Fortunately, I don’t require any surgery.”
Relating the mishap which happened in front of his shop at Lintas Square, he said that he was leaving the place to go home when he spotted an accident about 10 feet away, involving his friend.
“It was dark. In my hurry to get out of my car to help my friend, I didn’t see the open drain. I fell over the concrete edge and landed in the ditch.”
His workers came to his rescue by lifting him out of the drain. His wife, Fong Yee Ling, 46, sent him to the hospital for treatment.
