A festive Chinese New Year celebration in Tamparuli town, about 35km from Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, took a dramatic turn on 7 February when a sinkhole suddenly opened beneath a group of lion dance performers. The incident, which saw three performers fall into a metre-deep hole, has sparked renewed concerns over the state of public infrastructure in the region.
The collapse occurred at around 11am outside a row of shops on Jalan Bunga, where a concrete pavement gave way during the performance. Spectators watched in shock as the ground sank, but thankfully, the performers were quickly rescued by their teammates and escaped unharmed. While the incident ended without injury, it has cast a spotlight on the urgent need for infrastructure maintenance in smaller towns across Sabah.
Rayner Ebi, a 45-year-old officer at the Tuaran MP service centre, was quick to point out the broader implications of the mishap. “This incident underscores the importance of regular infrastructure maintenance and prompt action when faults are detected,” he told local media. He revealed that concerns about the unstable condition of the corridor floor had previously been raised with the Tuaran District Council, but the collapse occurred before any remedial action could be taken. “Accidents are unpredictable, and unfortunately, this happened right during the lion dance performance,” he added. 
Ebi urged local authorities to act swiftly to ensure pedestrian safety and advised the public to exercise caution when passing through the affected area. His comments reflect a growing frustration among residents of Tamparuli and surrounding areas, where infrastructure issues—ranging from potholed roads to ageing drainage systems—have long been a source of concern.
A Wake-Up Call for Local Authorities
The Tamparuli sinkhole incident, though minor in terms of physical harm, serves as a stark reminder of the risks posed by neglected infrastructure. Sabah, like many parts of East Malaysia, faces unique challenges in maintaining public facilities. Rapid urbanisation, combined with limited funding and logistical difficulties in remote areas, often results in delayed repairs and patchwork solutions. In smaller towns like Tamparuli, where resources are stretched thin, such issues can go unaddressed for years.
Infrastructure safety is not a new concern in Sabah. Over the past decade, reports of crumbling roads, unstable pavements, and flooding due to poor drainage have surfaced repeatedly. In 2023, a similar incident in Kota Kinabalu saw a section of road collapse near a busy market, narrowly avoiding casualties. These recurring events raise questions about the adequacy of inspections and the prioritisation of public safety by local councils.
While the Tuaran District Council has yet to issue an official statement on the Tamparuli sinkhole, the incident has prompted calls for a thorough review of infrastructure in the area. Community leaders and residents alike are pressing for transparency on how maintenance budgets are allocated and whether sufficient measures are in place to prevent such accidents during public events.
Cultural Celebrations and Public Safety
Chinese New Year is a significant cultural event in Sabah, celebrated with vibrant lion dances, dragon performances, and communal gatherings. These events often take place in public spaces, drawing large crowds and placing additional strain on local infrastructure. The Tamparuli incident highlights the need for event organisers and authorities to conduct safety assessments before such performances, particularly in areas with known structural issues.
For now, the affected section of Jalan Bunga remains a concern for pedestrians and shop owners. Temporary barriers or signage may help mitigate risks, but a permanent fix is essential to restore confidence in the area’s safety. As Rayner Ebi noted, vigilance is key, but it is ultimately the responsibility of local authorities to address underlying problems.
Looking Ahead
While the lion dance performers emerged unscathed, the incident in Tamparuli could have had far graver consequences. It serves as a timely warning to authorities across Sabah to prioritise infrastructure maintenance, especially in towns and rural areas where oversight is often limited. For residents, the event is a reminder of the fragility of the spaces they navigate daily and the importance of holding officials accountable.
As investigations into the cause of the sinkhole continue, there is hope that this near-miss will prompt meaningful action. Whether through increased funding, stricter inspections, or better coordination between local councils and communities, the goal must be to prevent such incidents from marring future celebrations—or worse, causing harm. For now, the people of Tamparuli can only wait and watch, hoping that their concerns will not fall through the cracks once again.
