LED streetlights brighten up Satok area

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Abang Johari presses the button to launch the new LED streetlights for Kampung Satok. Also seen is Abdul Wahap (second left).

Abang Johari presses the button to launch the new LED streetlights for Kampung Satok. Also seen is Abdul Wahap (second left).

KUCHING: The nights are bright with festive cheers now that the streets of Kampung Satok here are installed with new Light Emitting Diode (LED) streetlights.

Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, who launched the streetlights on Wednesday, said the project to upgrade streetlights in the Satok area was part of Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) citywide efforts to create a clean, beautiful and safe Kuching.

“The project to have 295 new LED streetlights, running on 90 watts, installed on every street in Satok cost about RM1.2 million,” he told a press conference yesterday.

“It will be done in several phases with tonight’s launch being the completion of the first phase for Jalan Haji Mataim/Jalan Muda Hashim,” he said, adding that other streets to be illuminated include Jalan Parit Lama, Jalan Laro and Jalan Patinggi Ali.

Abang Johari, who is also Tourism Minister, said Satok was the first area in Sarawak to benefit from the new lighting technology.

“It cost a little bit more but has long term benefits including energy-saving, longer-lasting, better luminosity and improve light pollution (environmentally friendly),” he said.

“But more importantly, the switch is meant to cut costs with low electricity consumption and less carbon emission,” he added.

The second phase, which was expected to be done in November, he added, would involve Jalan Satok, Jalan Kulas and Jalan Haji Taha.

“The new LED streetlights will change the whole landscape of Satok to make it brighterr. We are glad that the local residents have responded positively towards the plan,” he said.

Commercial and public areas already installed with LED streetlights are Padang Merdeka, Jalan Tun Haji Openg and Merdeka Plaza.

Taking into account environmental concerns, Abang Johari said this project would be extended to Darul Hana as well as other new development areas in the future.

Meanwhile, DBKU said the project was part of efforts to increase the momentum for its Kuching CBS Enhancement Plan 2013-2017.

The main objective was to turn Kuching into the most beautiful, cleanest and safest city in Asia by 2017.

The council also hoped the public would continue to work with them in combating social ills, including vandalism, to ensure that Kuching remains the destination of choice for domestic and international tourists.

To file a complaint or to report immoral activities, contact DBKU 24-hour Service Centre at 082-446644 or send an SMS to 019-8864466.

Abang Johari also took the opportunity to wish all Muslims a ‘Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri’.

“We pray that we will always be living in peace and comfort in many more years to come with better understanding among people in our diverse community,” he said.

“I also hope that all Sarawakians will celebrate this Hari Raya in a peaceful and harmonious manner and more importantly in moderation,” he added.

Abang Johari was confident that non-Muslims in Sarawak would come together to celebrate Aidilfitri.

DBKU mayor Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julai and community leaders were also present at the launching ceremony.