KUCHING, April 29: Special assistant to Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman Chong Chieng Jen, Michael Kong opines that Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang should focus on finding real solutions rather than engaging in baseless political attacks.
In a statement today, Kong said Lo, has been “harping” on the 15th Mile roundabout and flyover at 8th Mile, saying that these projects were approved and built during his term as Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman.
“If Lo had this fight in him when he was the MPP chairman, I am sure that many problems within MPP’s jurisdiction could be resolved,” he said.
With that, Kong reminded Lo, who had been in a war of words with Chong recently, that earlier this year, the Public Work Department (JKR) Sarawak was given full autonomy to implement projects costing under RM50 million.
He pointed out that Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) should know this.
Kong advised Lo to liaise with Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, whose Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development oversees JKR Sarawak, to seek his assistance to upgrade the 8th Mile flyover and 15th Mile intersections.
“Yet despite being granted this autonomy, Lo still does not want to make full use of this power but instead wants us to go back to the old ways of seeking approval from the Federal government. If that is so, then what is the point of having such autonomy in the first place?” he questioned.
“Leverage on this autonomy and do away with bureaucracy and delays,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kong urged Tan Kai, who helms MPP now, to reconsider the construction of the RM60 million new MPP building.
“Instead, use the money to improve the basic infrastructure within MPP’s jurisdiction. The welfare of Sarawakians is more important than the need to feed the ego of having a grand administration building,” he said. — DayakDaily
