By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Jan 18: Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak today reminded Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) leaders, including Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian and Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang, to uphold their words that only a local party can protect and fight for the interests of Sarawakians.
Former Stampin MP Julian Tan argued that if SUPP had really been efficient and effective, then it would not have required three months to get the developer of a project near Kuching City Mall to install safety fencing to cordon off the construction site for public safety purposes.
“This is just a simple safety fencing, and they (SUPP) cannot even ensure it was done when they have the authority to enforce the laws and regulations,” Julian told a press conference at DAP headquarters here.
“Moreover, construction project should have followed closely the procedure in which safety fencing should have been installed prior to the start of construction works, including project specification signages.”
Julian also expressed his disappointment over the absence of basic sanitation facility for workers at the construction site, which would impact public health and the environment.
He was responding to a statement by Tan Kai, a political secretary to the Chief Minister, that was published in a Chinese daily yesterday. He said work to build a safety fencing at the construction site near Kuching City Mall in Stephen Yong Road here started after SUPP reacted to a complaint brought to its office, and not due to the DAP.
“If SUPP is sincere in resolving an issue, why need to wait for three months? We found out that workers only started to build the safety fencing just last night after we held a press conference on site,” Julian said.
Julian alleged that residents, who were concerned about public safety, had brought the matter to the attention of SUPP three months ago, but Tan Kai only went to inspect the site three weeks ago.
“The truth is a day before this press conference, we have met with workers at the site, and they told us there was no plan to build the safety fencing and no plan to erect project signage,” Julian claimed. — DayakDaily
