Lo (centre) going over their next move to address the damage caused by the flood together with Andrew (left) and Freddy (right).
KUCHING: Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) is appealing for patience and understanding as they deal with the damage to public infrastructure in the wake of the flood last weekend.
Speaking to reporters after a full council meeting yesterday, MPP chairman Lo Khere Chiang said they were facing a big challenge because of the extent of the damage.
“We have roads cut off due to erosion, hills that eroded, 30 to 40-year-old drains that collapsed, drain walls that are damaged, and our funds are limited.”
Lo said they only had funds from Malaysian Road Records Information System (Marris) and Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) to rely on. “It does not cater to the full devastation of the flood,” he said. Lo thus asked the people of Padawan to bear with them as they work to bring things back to normal within their means, but wanted the reports to keep coming.
“We will be working together with Public Works Department (JKR), State Civil Defence Department (JPAM) and Bomba to fix things. However, it’s natural that people call the councils first for help,” he added.
When asked about the damage cost, Lo said they would need around RM20 to 30 million to get everything repaired.
Planning and development in general need to be looked at again to find a better way, and they cannot do it alone, he added. “It requires the determination of all authorities concerned to find a better drainage system.”
Also present at the press conference were MPP secretary Andrew Joris Noyen and public relations officer Freddy Salau Limpieng.
Meanwhile, Lo declared his support for Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem’s move to abolish quit rent for land and reduce assessment rate for rural residences.
“From the very beginning, the Chief Minister is very people-oriented. The economy is a bit poor and our country is not rich. What he is doing will go a long way in reducing the burden of the people.”
As a council, MPP depends on assessment rates to provide better services for the people, he added.
“Reducing it will put a bit of pressure on us to provide the same level of service.” He explained that smaller councils are given assessment rate deficiency grants by the government so they can operate because collection alone is not enough.
“I’m sure that the Chief Minister and state government have considered this and will provide for the shortfall so that our services will not be affected.” MPP collects and spends around RM32 million in assessment rate annually.