By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, May 17: Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang has dished out at least eight challenges to Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen who is also the Padungan assemblyman.
In his debate on the Sarawak Governor’s speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly sitting here today, Lo first challenged Chong to fight for funding from the federal government for the additional 23 fire stations needed across Sarawak due to population growth.
This was followed by a second challenge which is the upgrading of numerous existing sluice valve fire hydrants to pillar hydrants.
“It is imperative that YB Padungan focuses on his duty as an MP to seek federal funds, additional funds, in Parliament, for Bomba (Fire and Rescue Department), a federal agency, to upgrade the numerous existing sluice valve fire hydrants to pillar hydrants, which are above ground and more visible,” said Lo.
Lo then challenged Chong to take responsibility for certain road issues affecting Mile 8 where an overhead pedestrian walkway is needed across Jalan Datuk Tawi Sli and another one across Jalan Kalong Ningkang, from Boulevard to Everrise supermarket and from Everrise supermarket to the Lim Liang Kee commercial centre to prevent jaywalking.
Lo also highlighted the Mile 15 roundabout where he said an elevated U-turn needs to be built in place of a roundabout due to a number of accidents occurring under present conditions.
“The urgency of this matter cannot be overstated, and I call upon YB Padungan to take immediate action to prevent any further accidents or fatalities. It is my belief that this solution, an elevated U-turn, would greatly enhance the safety of the affected area and prevent any further loss of life,” said Lo.
Federal roads are under the federal government’s purview.
From road safety, Lo moved on to security which is also under the federal government’s purview, and pointed out that there are only two vehicles to patrol the vast area between Mile 17 and Telaga Air.
He urged Chong to bring the issue to Parliament to provide necessary support and resources including 10 new vehicles to allow Padawan police to effectively patrol housing estates in Padawan and the Stampin constituency.
Lo then moved on to education, pointing out that tables and chairs are lacking in SK Arang while SMK Jalan Arang has a collapsed septic tank and its assembly hall is too small to accommodate 1,700 students.
“In addition, there are ten Chinese schools in Sarawak classified as government aided schools run by associations and NGOs which are struggling to maintain their facilities. I urge YB Padungan to raise this in Parliament for more allocation under the federal government to assist them,” said Lo.
Meanwhile, Lo also took the opportunity to express his frustration over Chong’s statement that it was unreasonable to request RM400 million from the federal government to address flash floods in Kampung Quop.
“Sarawak contributes RM80 billion annually to federal coffers. However, YB Padungan deems it unreasonable to request RM400 million from the federal government to address flash floods in Kampung Quop.
“YB Padungan raises objections when spending is proposed for the betterment of Sarawakians but remains silent about Penang spending RM46 billion on the Penang Transport Master Plan during the PH (Pakatan Harapan) tenure as government,” Lo asserted. — DayakDaily
