MIRI: Public service providers have been encouraged to do away with red tape otherwise the government’s aspiration to be efficient would not be achieved.
CONCERNED: Dr Chan points at a vandalised lamp post at Saberkas Commercial Centre. With him are Lai (left), a contractor (second right) and Abdul Hadi Arbi (chairman of Bumiputera Traders Association of Miri Sarawak - PBMS).
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam said red tape must get in the way particularly when tackling problems that need immediate attention.
“When there is an emergency, there should not be any red tape. Otherwise, the problem will not be solved totally,” he told reporters after a visit to Saberkas Commercial Centre here yesterday.
Using six unused and unmaintained lamp posts at the commercial centre as an example, he said the lights were supposed to illuminate the corridor leading to the night market, but since the lights have broken down, the posts has been abandoned without cutting the electricity supply.
The vandalised lamp posts have exposed the night market traders, passers-by and shoppers to possible electrocution.
A shop owner in the area told Dr Chan that there were children had been shocked when the touched the exposed wires in the lamp posts.
Upon hearing this, he called the relevant authority to cover the exposed parts of the lamp posts.
In response, Sesco has sent some workers to attend to the lamp posts.
“The local authority should solve problems quickly, particularly when the problem involves public safety. Please stop giving excuses as they would not solve any problem,” he said.
He suggested that the council perhaps could have their own safety officers who can alert the relevant authority to any problem such as potholes.
Dr Chan was accompanied during the visit by mayor Lawrence Lai and Councillor Koh Ek Chong.