KUCHING, Jan 30: Special assistant to Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman Chong Chieng Jen, Michael Kong Feng Nian, has lambasted Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng for throwing Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) under the bus over the allegedly dysfunctional escalators at both ends of the overhead bridge in front of Timberland Medical Centre (TMC).
He was referring to Wee’s clarification on Jan 28 that the bridge is under the jurisdiction of Sarawak JKR and hinted that the escalators are still functional.
“The escalator at the pedestrian bridge in front of TMC should always be turned on — period. No single excuse for its poor condition and non-functioning is acceptable.
“It is therefore inexcusable for Wee Hong Seng to again try to sidestep responsibilities in this issue by throwing the ball back at JKR Sarawak. Both JKR Sarawak and MBKS have to stop pushing the buck but take decisive action!
“If indeed the escalators are in working order as alleged by Wee Hong Seng, then what is the reason for it being switched off all this while? Its non-operation had caused many portions of the escalator to be dirty and/or damaged which in turn means more taxpayers’ hard earned money will be spent on repair works,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Kong further said it is oxymoronic that MBKS tries to encourage more pedestrians and cyclists by spending millions on special cycling or pedestrian lanes along the roads yet refuse and/or fail to ensure the escalator that will benefit pedestrians and hospital-goers is in working order.
“Therefore, I urge JKR Sarawak and MBKS to take immediate steps to turn on the escalators for the convenience of the pedestrians. If indeed these escalators are not in working order anymore, then it should be fixed with great urgency,” he added.
The issue was first brought up by Chong on a social media livestream on Jan 28 upon receiving a complaint from the public.
Yesterday, JKR Sarawak director Richard Tajan told DayakDaily that the escalators would need to be repaired. — DayakDaily
