Residents and developer reach amicable solution

Chief Minister’s intervention paves way for end to row over retaining wall; house owners thankful

KUCHING: The developer of a commercial project at Laman Bong Chin has demolished a retaining wall to enable two house owners affected by the project to have bigger road access.

Land and Survey Department director Datu Sajeli Kipli, when contacted explained that the developer had taken the initiative to demolish the retaining wall to give more space for the affected house owners to manoeuvre their vehicles comfortably to and from their houses.

“We would like to thank all the concerned parties – the land owners and the developer for their understanding in solving the issue amicably,” Sajeli told The Borneo Post here yesterday.

Sajeli revealed that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem had informed him to find a solution to the matter.

“So, our superintendent of land and survey of Kuching Division Ramzi Abdillah went to the site on his own initiative to broker an amicable solution,” he explained.

Sajeli stressed that the developer had been kind enough to consider the recommendation made by his department, which was eventually accepted by the state planning unit (SPU) for the retaining wall to be demolished.

“The developer was just implementing the plan that had been approved by SPU way by in 1996. For them to demolish the retaining wall for the benefit of the affected house owners was indeed a commendable effort.

“On our part, it was also a good learning experience. The issue was small, but it was rather complicated. And in this regards, we are thankful to The Borneo Post for its fair reporting on the matter until we reached this point when we all have been able to get the matter settled. It has been a very enriching experience for both for me as well as for my department,” added Sajeli.

Batu Lintang Assemblyman See Chee How thanked the chief minister for taking the matter personally and for being instrumental in solving the problem.

“I would like to thank the chief minister for his personal touch but I also hoped that he would look into the project in greater details,” said See.

See who has described the case as “pandora’s box” where the last thing in the box was “hope” and he had remained hopeful that the case would be resolved amicably.

Meanwhile, one of the residents, Ms Teo thanked the chief minister, the land and survey department and The Borneo Post for assisting her and other effected residents in the area to get a bigger passage to their houses.

“I would like to say thank you very much to the chief minister, YB See Chee How and The Borneo Post for listening to our plight. Without you all we would not know what to do,” she said.