Chong Chieng Jen – Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING (Feb 6): The RM60 million allocation to construct a new headquarters for Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) would be better spent on improving infrastructure in areas under the council’s jurisdiction, said Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen.
Chong said the one of the most pressing issues faced by residents under MPP’s jurisdictions was flash flooding and the financial allocation should instead be channelled into improving the local drainage and irrigation system.
“Within the MPP jurisdiction, there are still many earth drains that can be replaced with reinforced concrete drains.
“Whenever residents in the affected areas request the MPP to build reinforced concrete drain, the standard answer from the council and the chairman will be ‘need more allocation’,” he said in a statement.
He said he felt that Deputy Premier and Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian and MPP chairman Lo Khere Chiang should get their priorities right, instead of constructing a new building for the council.
“With the rapid housing and commercial development within the MPP area and the council’s poor planning on the drainage system, the flash flood problem is getting worse by the day,” Chong claimed.
He urged Dr Sim and Lo to shelve the project to construct a new MPP building and instead use the funds to improve the existing drainage system.
“I wish to remind the two of them, the hallmark of a good government is not the grandeur of its building but the quality of its service to the people,” said Chong.
On Saturday, Lo had reportedly said that the construction for the new MPP headquarters in Semenggok at Mile 12, Kuching-Serian Road will begin at the end of the year.
Lo, who is also Batu Kitang assemblyman, said the project is still in the planning and design stage.