Hii says countdown timers, like this one installed on a traffic light at Jalan Kampung Nyabor, have helped improve the attitude of many motorists in Sibu.
SIBU: The incidence of vandalism on traffic lights here has dropped significantly, according to Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) secretary Hii Chang Kee.
On this, he hoped that this positive development would not be a one-off thing.
“Admittedly, we do not have hard figures but based on feedback from members of the public, there has been low incidence of vandalism on traffic lights around the town centre,” he told The Borneo Post here.
Hii also highlighted that timing mechanisms installed on the traffic lights had helped improve the attitude of motorists here.
“If you notice, there’s a countdown timer in each of these lights. Some people say this may have improved the patience level of drivers.”
Nevertheless, Hii did not deny there were still some irresponsible individuals vandalising facilities in the parks here, where one could see damaged lightings, park furniture with scribbling all over them as well as broken plants.
“Sibu is considered quite a developed town. It is only fair that our mentality and the level of our civic consciousness should be in tandem with the town’s development.
“It is important that everybody maintains whatever facility here, especially those in parks which include footpaths and even the plants there,” he stressed, adding that going after vandals should not be the sole responsibility of the council.
“Any member of the public who spots and catches these vandals in the act, should report to the authorities.”
On another matter, Hii disclosed that there are presently 74 units of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras around town, slated for keeping watch and spotting the ‘bad hats’ in action.
“These CCTVs have been installed in the town centre and nearby commercial areas – the so-called ‘hotspots’ as identified by police together with SMC,” he said, adding that there are another 15 units in some residential areas.
These, he said, were derived from a smart partnership involving the council together with Au Yong and Seduan neighbourhood committees.