KUCHING: The federal government’s allocation for street lights along Jalan Puncak Borneo is only enough to build the infrastructures, said Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang.
He was addressing the lack of funding by the federal government for implementing the street light project along dark stretches from Jalan Kota Padawan to Kampung Annah Rais, which was announced by Puncak Borneo MP Willie Mongin on Thursday.
Lo stated, “While we welcome all funds received from the federal government, there’s a need to clarify that the money obtained by Willie is merely for building the infrastructures. The infrastructures are useless if there is no supply of electricity.
“I would like to highlight that when street lighting projects are proposed, a whole package need to be considered — infrastructures and costs of electricity supply which is a recurring cost,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Lo explained that for each street lighting infrastructure, funds in the tune of RM500,000 annually ought to be made available to MPP, for recurring costs and payments.
“This is because the rate collected from Puncak Borneo is far from enough to pay for daily services rendered and street lighting bills incurred.
“After all, the federal government siphons RM92 billion annually from Sarawak while returning a mere five percent to us.
“It is high time for the federal government under Pakatan Harapan returns, at least, what has been promised and which is 20 percent oil royalty, 50 percent of all taxes collected in Sarawak and the state’s autonomy on education and health,” he said.
