By Nigel Edgar
KUCHING, May 4: The Sarawak government has plans to alleviate traffic woes in and around the city, particularly around Kota Sentosa all the way to Serian, but they could not be implemented due to objections by the people.
Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the objections by Kota Sentosa folk was most likely due to misconceptions spun by the opposition.
“I want to upgrade (the infrastructures) here, but only if the rakyat wants it. We (state government) have plans, but it had been spun and the people got confused (and objected),” he told reporters covering his launching of Sarawak Pay at KK Super Mart in Kota Sentosa today.
The chief minister added that it would be inappropriate to just “bulldoze” the plan and ignore the people’s objections as misunderstandings would arise.
“Not just in Kota Sentosa area but all the way to Serian. The other one (traffic jam woes) is in Kota Samarahan. I have a solution, but until people can understand it, I won’t do it.
“The worst is people spin (stories). They (opposition members) will tell a different story,” he said.
Meanwhile, in his speech, Abang Johari said his administration was very much into upgrading basic infrastructures all over the state, including turning Kuching into a “Smart City”.
He also revealed plans to modernise Greater Kuching, including Kota Sentosa area, but because of objections from the opposition, it had been difficult to do.
“As you know, Kota Sentosa is plagued by traffic jams. That’s why I wanted to do a light rail transit (LRT) system, but some people don’t want. We want to modernise, but they said its a waste of money. But now you see traffic jams,” he pointed out.
He also revealed that next year, the state government would be allocating RM6 million to Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) for it to upgrade infrastructures and facilities in areas within its jurisdiction, which includes Kota Sentosa. — DayakDaily
