By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Oct 21: Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) should not use technicalities, such as labelling a guardhouse as an “illegal structure” as an excuse to ignore safety concerns and expose residents to unnecessary risks.
In pointing this out, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) and also Dudong assemblyman Dato Sri Tiong King Sing said SMC had demanded the Pulau Li Hua Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK Pulau Li Hua) dismantle the community’s self-built security guardhouse before agreeing to assist in repairing potholes besides maintaining other infrastructure.
“Responding to this, I would like to remind SMC and their councillors their primary duty is to serve the people,” he said in a statement today.
He said it should be understood that the guardhouse was built by the residents when Pulau Li Hua experienced frequent crime, including car thefts, drug abuse, break-ins, illegal street racing, and late-night gatherings.
According to him, since 2017, residents have taken it upon themselves to establish security measures, spending nearly RM200,000 annually to maintain them.
He emphasise that SMC and its councillors must also acknowledge that residents pay annual assessment and land taxes, and it is the responsibility of relevant authorities to maintain infrastructure.
“In the past, service vehicles were able to access the community to perform maintenance work. It is disappointing that, after several years, SMC now suddenly claims that vehicles cannot enter and that the booth violates local regulations, making its removal a condition for repairing potholes in the area,” he said.
Tiong also suggested that the Pulau Li Hua JKKK formally report its operations to the local police and liaise with the Fire and Rescue Department to ensure that fire engines can access the area smoothly in emergencies.
He said it is understandable that SMC may be acting within legal parameters, but should not forget the Sarawak government’s “people-first” approach.
“Furthermore, with limited police resources and serious security concerns, residents have set up self-protection mechanisms at their own expense without imposing any financial burden on the government or the public. The resulting zero crime rate is something to be commended.
“I hope this issue can be resolved before my dialogue with Pulau Li Hua residents next month. I also remind all councillors, especially those from Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), to recognise their duty to serve the people and not to abuse their power. If any PDP members are found guilty of misconduct, my party will take the necessary action,” he added. — DayakDaily
