SIBU: Years of conflict between a housing developer and a contractor culminated in a disaster when the latter damaged the tar-sealed road leading to a section in Kampung Jeriah, cutting off not only the connectivity but also the water supply to 20 houses there.

The developer, who is also a resident there, was shocked to see the demolition on Friday.

“I saw three excavators and four lorries on the road that morning. He (contractor) has not only damaged the road, but also broken the piping underneath it — cutting off the water supply to this area. Fortunately, I managed to stop him from doing more damage,” he told the police here.

Acting on his report, police despatched two mobile patrol units to the scene, where personnel from Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) and Sibu Water Board (SWB) were also present.

On the reason behind the incident, the developer said the contractor accused him of refusing to settle the final payment for the completion of the road.

“We could not pay because the road has yet to get approval from the governing authority,” he claimed.

On the other hand, the contractor complained that it was the drainage that was not approved.

“We completed the construction of six roads in the housing area in 2006 — all in good

condition. The problem was the drainage — an issue that I had highlighted to his (developer’s) father, in which I asked him to repair the system and get its approval from the relevant authority.

“However, this had fallen on deaf ears,” the contractor said, adding that he had previously made two police reports against the developer over years of non-settlement of the last payment.

“This was the last straw,” he said, defending his action.

Police are investigating the case.