A Chinese restaurant serving Halal food in Segama became the scene of a frightening accident when part of its ceiling collapsed, injuring a couple and reigniting long-standing concerns over the safety of ageing structures in the city’s commercial district.

The incident occurred around 7.50pm at He Wei Ju, a Chinese-operated halal restaurant, after the breaking of fast crowd, which occupies two floors of a four-storey building. 

A 55-year-old woman suffered a fractured leg, while her 58-year-old husband sustained minor injuries when a section of the first-floor platform gave way, sending debris crashing onto the ground floor.

The couple was assisting their son at the restaurant when the ceiling caved in. 

Firefighters arrived within minutes, evacuating the premises and conducting safety inspections before wrapping up operations at 9.38pm. 

Police have since cordoned off the area, urging the public to stay away as investigations continue.

While the restaurant remains shut, the collapse has drawn attention to broader concerns about the structural integrity of buildings in Segama, which was developed in the mid-1970s and has seen limited refurbishment over the years.

Authorities have long warned about the use of sea sand in construction—an issue linked to weakened concrete over time due to its high salt content. 

In 2015, urgent repairs were ordered for the Segama Bridge and several buildings in Kota Kinabalu over safety fears.

For business owners and residents, the latest incident raises uncomfortable questions. 

Was this an isolated case of poor maintenance, or a sign of deeper structural risks lurking within the district’s ageing skyline?

“The worst may not be over,” one shopkeeper said, noting that cracks and water leaks have been reported in nearby buildings for years. “What if next time it’s something bigger?”

For now, safety checks are underway, but for those working and dining in Segama daily, the sense of unease remains. –  March 8, 2025