By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Jan 30: The RM2 billion Kuching Flood Mitigation Project will be implemented by the same consultants involved in the Sibu Flood Mitigation Project, underscoring the Sarawak government’s confidence in the standards and capabilities demonstrated in Sibu.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said the decision was made by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg following recent discussions with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof.
According to Dr Sim, the Premier had specifically directed that the consultants who handled the Sibu flood mitigation project be appointed for the Kuching project.
“This means that the Premier sees the capabilities and standards of implementation of the flood mitigation project in Sibu to be on par with Kuching, and not the other way around,” he said.
Dr Sim, who is also Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, was speaking at the Sibu District Village and Community Leaders (KMKK) Appointment Notice and Certificate Presentation Ceremony in Sibu on Wednesday (Jan 28).
At the ceremony, about 100 KMKKs from around the Sibu District received their appointment notices and certificates, with total attendance estimated at 200 people.
Dr Sim added that the Kuching flood mitigation project is a large-scale initiative funded by the federal government and is vital to ensuring the safety and well-being of the people of Sarawak.
In another development, he said the Sarawak government will expedite the development of satellite centres outside Kuching to provide more comprehensive access to quality healthcare services and public facilities across the state.
“After we develop an advanced centre in Kuching, services will be expanded through satellite centres. This is the Sarawak government’s approach to ensure that people outside Kuching are also able to enjoy quality services,” he explained.
On the role of KMKKs, Dr Sim stressed that grassroots leaders serve as the frontline of Sarawak government services and act as a crucial link between the people and the government.
He said the appointment of KMKKs is not merely ceremonial but carries significant responsibility in conveying government policies and addressing issues faced by communities on the ground.
“This appointment shows that the government respects the role of the KMKK. You are the true representatives of the Sarawak government and the frontline of service to the people.
“When the frontline faces problems, it is the people’s problem. Therefore, the KMKK plays an important role as a bridge between the people and the government,” he said.
Also present were Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government and Pelawan assemblyman Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee, Bukit Assek assemblyman Chieng Jin Ek, Sibu Division Resident Abang Mohammad Porkan Abang Budiman, Sibu District Officer Tsong Chow Choon, Temenggong Stanley Gramong Bandar, Sibu Municipal Council chairman Clarence Ting, and councillor Kevin Lau Kor Jie, who represented Temenggong Dato Vincent Lau Lee Ming. — DayakDaily
