Chai (standing) and his team during the party’s mobile action team (MAT) event at a commercial centre here.
MIRI: The UPP Pujut branch has finally completed the last of a three part series compilation of the peoples’ aspiration and vision for the future of Miri via ‘MYY Hope’ programme.
Its chairman Bruce Chai said the final part of the programme touched on infrastructure development.
“There must be a master plan to complement Miri direction whether it is a resort city or an educational hub.
“The Plan must blend well together with the city’s vision in order to enhance and maintain the beauty of Miri which we have been accustomed to,” he stated to The Borneo Post when asked on the final part on its ‘MYY Hope’ programme yesterday.
He said that based on the feedback gathered, the party has divided the peoples’ aspiration into public transportation, border entry points and public health.
Under the public transportation subject, he said the reduction of bus services on various routes particularly the routes leading to places of interest in the city has reduced the number of people exploring the tourism places.
Todate, he said there were only two active bus companies in Miri which provided stage bus services to cover certain areas in the city.
On this concern, he said there is an urgent need for the government to step in and perhaps form a consortium which would enable the bus companies to tap into the federal government’s Stage Bus Service Transformation (SBST) Programme.
He hoped the SBST programme would be able to inject much needed funds from the federal government to rejuvenate the aging public transport system in the city.
“New buses which are more comfortable, equipped with safety features like CCTV and conveniences such as free wifi and cashless entry system are needed to support the Miri status as resort city.
“Engagement with the community and tourism industry representatives is also needed to determine the routes that are most needed to complement the city‘s growth.”
On the aspect of entry point, he noted that Miri Airport has exceeded its capacity and there was slow upgrading process to the immigration entry point of Sungai Tujuh.
“The people really hope that the relevant authorities will speed up the process of upgrading the airport and the Sungai Tujuh immigration checkpoint.
Touching on public health, he expressed his concern on the slow upgrading process of Miri Hospital.
He explained that Miri Hospital not only serves the people in the city, it also provides medical services to those from the northern region such as Limbang, Lawas, Marudi and Baram. He noted that the hospital has yet to have specialist facilities.
“Building public health infrastructures is not an overnight feat as the effort takes years of planning, budget allocations and professional consultation.
“But, if we do not start the process now we would be left behind.”
On the public recreational park aspect, he said the development of Piasau Nature Reserve into an urban park is greatly anticipated.
“Rejuvenation and expansion of our current public parks such as Bulatan Park, Taman Awam, Miri City Fan and Luak Esplanade need to be given equal attention too as well as those green space in new and old housing areas should be developed into functional green area by not leaving them with overgrown grass, shrubs and wild trees.”