KUCHING: Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) has incurred almost half a million ringgit in losses to replace missing manhole covers in its jurisdiction last year.
“For 2009 alone, MPP has replaced 1,900 pieces of manhole covers. This has cost the council RM486,331.25,” said MPP chairman Tan Joo Phoi yesterday during a press conference after the council’s last meeting for the year.
Tan said stolen or missing manhole covers have been reported in 42 different townships under the council’s jurisdiction such as Kota Sentosa, Kota Padawan, Batu Kitang, Batu Kawah New Township and Taman Desa Wira.
Taman Desa Wira reported the most number with 278 stolen or missing manhole covers, followed by Batu Kawah New Township (270), Taman Malihah (212), Kota Sentosa (159), and Taman Matang Jaya (145).
“We appeal to the general public to help the council take care of amenities and infrastructure provided by the council. Missing manhole covers is a cause of danger to the public especially pedestrians and joggers,” said Tan who is also Batu Kawa assemblyman.
He called on the public to report cases of missing or stolen manhole covers to the council in order to avoid unnecessary accidents.
“Once we receive a report, we will take action immediately. We do not want unnecessary accidents to occur,” he added.
The council has also received about 200 complaints regarding missing manhole covers along Jalan Batu Kawa. However, Tan pointed out that the road was not under MPP’s jurisdiction.
“Jalan Batu Kawa is under the state Public Works Department (JKR) jurisdiction so the council cannot take action on the complaints lodged. We hope the public understands this. Nonetheless, the council has forwarded all relevant reports from the public to JKR,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tan also took the opportunity to congratulate all present councillors in MPP for their re-appointment by Head of State Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Muhammad Salahuddin for another two years. The two-year term will begin from today to Dec 31, 2011.
“Your re-appointment indicates that the government has recognised the good services you have rendered to the people and the state.
“Let us work together closely and achieve the council’s mission to enhance and sustain a good quality of life for the people by providing, maintaining and upgrading infrastructure, amenities and facilities. We to need also provide efficient, reliable and timely services for our people,” he told them.
He announced that the swearing-in ceremony will take place on Jan 12 in the council’s chambers at 9am.
Minister of Environment and Public Health Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, who is also Second Minister of Finance, is expected to be present during the ceremony.
Also present during the press conference were councillor Edward Kurik and MPP deputy chairman Mohamad Hashim Yap.