THIS IS WHAT WE DO: Wee (left) and DBKU Infrastructure Maintenance Division head Zaidi Pathi explaining to the press what DBKU is doing in one of its zones.
KUCHING: Members of the public are advised to go through the proper channel to voice out problems in their areas.
DBKU commissioner member Dato Wee Hong Seng said those living within DBKU areas could call the hotline at 082-446644 for help on matters pertaining to problems such as blocked drains and littering.
“If people love Kuching, they should go through the proper channel by calling us direct, where things can be worked out. There is no point going to the press or social media like Facebook as nothing can be done.
“It is not good for the image of our city, if things like irresponsible littering keep getting headlines. Contact us directly and we will deal with them,” he told a press conference yesterday.
He pointed out that most people prefer to see results, not just publicity in the press.
“Cleaning the streets and sweeping the floor are the jobs of council workers. These jobs are done daily, but there are irresponsible citizens who keep making the city dirty.
“The best result is when the council and the people work together to keep Kuching clean, beautiful and safe. We need the cooperation of the people and it is the responsibility of everyone to ensure that.”
Wee was responding to recent headlines in the local papers concerning blocked drainage, rubbish thrown outside the bins, and allegations that the council is not doing its job.
“DBKU is monitoring drainage in many areas, including around Plaza Merdeka area that is prone to flash flood. We keep flushing the drains and we keep finding mineral water bottles and other rubbish.
“Our sweepers are always sweeping the floors and even business operators do their part to ensure that rubbish from their establishments is disposed properly into the bins. Yet there have been reports of rubbish found strewn all over the floor outside the bins the next day and the business operators had to do their own cleaning up again, no thanks to irresponsible perpetrators who find thrill in turning the city into a mess.
“People should have a sense of belonging in our city. We believe it is very important to educate them to be responsible citizens and take pride in having a clean, beautiful and safe Kuching.”
Another way for the public to voice their grouses is through DBKU zone officers and community leaders, said Wee.
“We are in the process of revamping the roles of our zone officers for all 28 zones under DBKU. We will soon make the list public so that in case of any problem, members of the public can approach their respective zone officers. “We are also going to the various community associations, and we hope to engage them actively in dealing with problems in their areas.”