By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 23: Batu Kawah incumbent Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian hopes the people of Batu Kawah will continue to put their trust in Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) over the next five years so that the constituency can undergo further positive transformation in a safe pair of hands.
He pointed out that traffic congestion is now an issue in Batu Kawah following numerous projects worth some RM300 million funded by State and Federal governments combined which are being or have been implemented.
“For MJC with a huge roundabout, that will also need to be upgraded in which a funding of about RM10 to RM15 million is needed.
“So I hope the Chief Minister can help me to transform Batu Kawah which is seeing more houses coming up and as such, traffic congestion is unavoidable,” he said.
Dr Sim, who is also Minister for Local Government and Housing, highlighted this when speaking at a groundbreaking ceremony for the State’s second Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) multi-fuel station which was officiated at by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at MJC Batu Kawa here today.
To ease part of the congestion, Dr Sim highlighted the 3km dual carriageway Jalan Stapok Utama will be upgraded to four lanes which is estimated to cost RM8 million per kilometre.
Dr Sim also took the opportunity to thank the people of Batu Kawah for their understanding and cooperation over the past five years which has enabled many developments to take place.
“I am very fortunate that the people gave me a chance in 2016. And over the past five years, together with the people of Batu Kawah, we have transformed Batu Kawah.
“Hopefully, in the next five years Batu Kawa will not only see more progress but it will be beyond recognition.
“We are not only ‘hot air’ but on the ground making things happen,” he said.
Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Hussain, Petros chairman Tan Sri Hamid Bugo and Economic Planning Unit (EPU) director Datu Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel were among those present. — DayakDaily
