Govt carries on with solving problems even in Bandar Kuching
KUCHING: The Barisan Nasional (BN) government will continue to implement development projects in Bandar Kuching despite having lost the seat in two consecutive elections to the DAP.
IT’S DONE: Uggah (second right) with Chan (right) visit the completed Sungai Padungan Phase II project. — Photo by Kong Jun Liung
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dato Sri Douglas Uggah Embas said it was evident the government of the day had all the policies in place to address and solve problems from the ground.
“Even though Kuching is under DAP, I want to make it very clear that BN has a concrete plan to solve the people’s problems.
“We have the finance… and we are always solving problems. We don’t just talk. We act and we walk the talk,” he told journalists after inspecting the newly completed Sungai Padungan Phase II project near the Hockien Garden at Jalan Padungan here yesterday.
The RM16 million project was completed on Sept 25. It took the contractor 13 months to enlarge the concrete drainage from three metres to nine metres wide.
Uggah pointed out the extended drainage had been ‘tested over time’ and it would help reduce the flooding problem in the area.
“As there is a big catchment area in Kenyalang Park and Jalan Mendu, the water flows up there. This is why we implemented the project… to relieve people from flood problem in this area.”
He hoped that the opposition would not capitalise on this issue to gain political mileage, particularly in view of the approaching state election.
“This (drainage) is a big problem here so we are solving it. I hope DAP will not politicise this. I am very happy the project is completed as scheduled.
“This also indicates that DAP is just doing the talking while Barisan Nasional came up with a solid plan and implemented it. This reflects our concern on the problems of the people,” he said.
Uggah added that Sungai Padungan Phase II was not the only drainage enhancement projects taking place in the city.
Earlier on, he also visited two project sites at Sungai Bintangor and Sungai Lajim in Satok.
“We will try our best to put in the capacity we have. And there is a big flood mitigation project for Kuching.”
While lauding the contractor for completing the project of Sungai Padungan Phase II on time, he thanked Kuching South City Council (MBKS) for its co-operation to make the project a success.
Among those present at the site visit was MBKS mayor James Chan.