Karambir Singh
MIRI: News of UTC’s shortened operating hours starting Jan 22 has upset many who use the centre’s services after office hours.
A recent announcement by the Ministry of Finance stated that shortening the operating hours of UTCs nationwide would save cost.
It also mentioned that the operating hours would be revised from time to time to cater to the needs of the people and ensure efficient expenditure.
The operating hours in Kuching, Miri and Sibu will be 8am to 5pm from Mondays to Sundays, with a break for Friday prayers from 11.45am to 2.15pm. UTCs will be closed on public holidays.
“UTC is a success story which has benefited the public as it was people-centric,” said councillor Karambir Singh who criticised the decision in a press release yesterday.
He added that many had told him that UTC made it convenient as they need not take time off their work or waste long hours as they could settle their bills or make enquiries after working hours.
“Shortening the operating hours is not helping the people and the excuse of saving money is totally unacceptable.
“The federal government should instead remove all subsidies given to highway companies and motorists in the peninsula to keep UTC facilities open after working hours,” he said.
Karambir added that the federal government should not remove the success stories of the previous government out of spite.
“It should be ‘take away the bad but keep the good’ because that is the way forward for the country and the people,” he said.