KUCHING: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor strongly agrees with a recent statement by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg that urban areas could continue to be developed only with the right policies.
Datuk Wee Hong Seng urged the people to rethink the message that Abang Johari was trying to convey concerning urban development.
He said the chief minister was speaking about political reality — that people who supported the government of the day were always given priority and allocated funds for development purposes.
“If you look at Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) and Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) which has Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) elected assemblymen, their representation in the government gives them the advantage to fight for more projects for the overall development of areas under the respective councils and constituencies,” he said in response to Abang Johari’s statement on Monday (Dec 14).
Wee explained that urban development required elected representatives to fight for government funds which opposition representatives were not entitled to.
“As an illustration, a lawmaker from the ruling party is entitled to a RM5-million Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) allocation each year. These total to RM25 million for one term. As an illustration, MBKS covers four areas or constituencies, namely Padungan, Pending, Batu Lintang and part of Kota Sentosa.
“If all those areas are given part of the allocations through the assemblymen, they amount to RM100 million for five years in just one term.
“With RM100 million, we can do a lot not only for infrastructure development and upgrading such as roads and drains, backlanes, street lights and CCTV but also for schools, worship places like temples, churches and mosques as well as building new amenities for the people like sports centres, new libraries, recreational or theme parks, tourist attractions and many more,” he said.
Citing MPP for an example, he said the revenue it collected was RM30 million, but the people’s projects cost RM82 million.
“For Padungan, the people have missed out a lot. But the council is doing its best to use the revenue collected on development and maintenance,” he said.
Wee said for bigger development projects, the council would submit its proposals under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).
“We have submitted 38 projects worth nearly RM140 million under the 12MP. The projects are more on upgrading of infrastructure and drainage to mitigate floods,” he explained.
Wee added the council was going to rejuvenate the old Padungan areas through its urban renewal project.
“The urban renewal project is a roadmap for a smart, healthy and clean Kuching City,” he said.
The mayor added the council always welcomed feedback from the public on how to further develop Kuching City.
“MBKS is always open to suggestions as long as they are for the greater good of Kuching. That is why community engagements are important,” said Wee.
