KUCHING, Nov 29: Michael Kong Feng Nian, a special assistant to Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman Chong Chieng Jen, is urging Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap to be proactive to help in coordinating with Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) and push for the installation of electric fans at the 7th Mile market, instead of getting defensive over the issue.
Kong said he had on Sunday (Nov 27) issued a statement saying that he will follow up with MPP on the status of the electric fans as it has been nearly a year of inaction from MPP since 55 traders signed a petition in favour of the said installation which was handed to MPP on Jan 3 this year.
“To my amazement, Wilfred Yap then wrote on Facebook saying that he had never promised to install fans at 7th Mile market.
“This is a total departure from his earlier Facebook post which said that the electric fans were already planned a long time ago,” Kong said in a statement today.
According to Kong, Yap had on Jan 8 this year posted on his Facebook page that the installation of fans was “already in the pipeline” and even labelled DAP as a “busybody”.
Despite the unwarranted attack, Kong said, DAP took the announcement positively as it meant that traders’ concerns were heard and would be acted upon.
“We, DAP, are here to serve and be the voice of the people. As part of our role, we fearlessly raise issues with the aim of getting the authorities to improve the current situation.
“Politicians should be open to better ideas and constructive criticism.
“Therefore, Wilfred Yap should stop taking such statements personally but instead use the time to liaise and deal with MPP for the installation of fans as petitioned,” he said.
Kong added that he had already written another letter to MPP to find out the status of the matter.
Meanwhile, Yap, who took to social media yesterday (Nov 28) to respond to the issue, said that he had never agreed to install fans at the 7th Mile market.
In fact, he said he promised to quickly secure the funding to upgrade the 7th Mile market and through his efforts RM400,000 has been approved.
“MPP will carry out the upgrading works. Currently, MPP is producing the BQ (Bill of Quantity), specifications and drawings. I have insisted that additional electric fans must be included in the specifications of the project,” he said in the post. — DayakDaily
