By Gabriel Lihan & Natasha Jee
KUCHING: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has agreed to allocate funds for the installation of street lighting along Jalan FAC in Matang.
“God willing, this (installation of street lighting) will be carried out but with condition – there must be cooperation within the community, to be the eyes and ears of the authorities to ensure that people do not steal the copper cables.
“We have to work together. We can implement the street lighting anytime and we have the necessary funds but we must prevent people from vandalising the infrastructure.”
Abang Johari said this when officiating at the Sarawakku Sayang Programme at Kampung Telaga Air near here today.
He was responding to the request for the installation of street lighting along Jalan FAC by Deputy Minister for Utility and Telecommunication, Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi.
Besides street lighting, he said other development projects approved by the state government included the construction of another road heading towards Kampung Telaga Air and a floating mosque in the area as well.
Earlier in his speech, Dr Abdul Rahman, who is also the Pantai Damai assemblyman, said Jalan FAC in Matang had street lighting issues, making it hard for drivers to commute in the area, especially late in the evening.
“The road sections from Simpang Kopodim to Simpang Matang and heading towards Jalan Matang until Simpang Selang has been pitch black for almost eight years now.
“Maybe the locals here are used to facing situations such as this, but I would like to propose to the Premier that Jalan FAC be installed with street lighting just like other roads in Sarawak.”
He also mentioned that it was not that efforts were not made to have street lighting in the area, but unfortunately, the infrastructure would always fall victim to irresponsible people.
