‘Relocate factories’

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KUCHING: Small and medium manufacturers should consider moving their factories to industrial parks set up by the state government.

Lo Khere Chiang

Lo Khere Chiang

MPP chief says factories could be built on empty plots at industrial parks according to needs

In making this call yesterday, Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman, Lo Khere Chiang, reasoned that industrial parks were equipped with safety facilities such as fire prevention system that could help prevent unfortunate incidents.

Speaking to reporters after visiting a hardware and timber factory by Jalan Matang-Malihah which was partly destroyed by fire on July 8, he said he had suggested to the factory’s owner to relocate to Kota Samarahan Industrial Park.

“It is really an unfortunate incident especially as it claimed the life of an elderly man,” he said.

He added: “The Ministry of Industrial Development (MID) has informed me there are vacancies at Kota Samarahan Industrial Park but not at Demak Laut Industrial Park. Please contact MID for further information.”

Lo explained that empty plots would be provided at the industrial park and manufacturers could build factories according to their needs.

They could pay for the piece of land by instalment, said Lo, adding that this would reduce their financial burden to some extent.

Addressing another concern, he said: “I do understand that for the sake of convenience, many manufacturers prefer to have their factories near a main road. However, it is not viable.”

If every manufacturer wants to set up factories near main roads, it would have a negative impact on the living environment of the people, he explained.

“Of course it might cost a lot to have a proper factory which meets safety requirements, but this should be viewed as a long-term investment. I believe it will benefit them in the long run,” he said.

The owner of the razed factory, surnamed Sim, said she would consider Lo’s suggestion.

“We will consider but what’s more important now is to sort out the mess. We have just arranged for the funeral of our worker and a lot of things need to be settled as well,” she said.

On the estimated loss, she said it was still under assessment.

Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Environmental Affairs) Tan Joo Phoi accompanied Lo during the visit to the factory.