KUCHING, March 15: Former Bukit Assek assemblywoman Irene Chang is questioning Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Michael Tiang’s two-week trip to Australia to search for inspiration for the Bukit Assek Redevelopment Plan.
“It was reported that Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg was not satisfied with the redevelopment plan presented during a briefing in Sibu on January 22, 2022.
“This is in contradiction to the earlier overall impression given that the redevelopment plan was already in place, ready to be implemented soon,” she said in a statement issued today.
She went on to say that in August last year, Sibu Urban Renewal Committee chairman Dato Chieng Buong Toon was reported to have said that a firm in Kuching called ‘Taya Rancang’ was appointed to conduct the study and draft the master plan.
“Has this study and master plan been rejected? Or is this the plan that needs to be given the ‘inspiration’ to be improved?
“In any event, if such a study mission is required, it would be more logical to send qualified engineers and architects rather than an elected representative whose academic background does not include the knowledge required for such a project,” she said.
She elaborated that as the Sibu Urban Renewal Committee has been tasked to oversee the redevelopment plan, she urged them to reveal and account for whether there are any reference projects in Australia that the deputy minister is looking at in the study mission.
“Why Australia, in particular Sydney, Adelaide, and Brisbane (as revealed by Tiang in his Facebook live on March 13) when the land condition is not the same as in Bukit Assek?” she asked.
She added that since Abang Johari was not happy with the plan presented at the briefing, she urged him to prioritise local engineers, architects, and other professionals and instruct his people to source alternative plans from them.
“There is no lack of experienced local professionals as we have many who had lived and worked overseas before they returned to Sarawak.
“I am confident that they would be able to come up with inspiring and feasible plans, which should be suitable to the needs and likes of the people of Bukit Assek and Sibu.”
During her debate in State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sittings, she brought up that a renowned local architect drafted the development plan.
“The architect had a vision of transforming Bukit Assek into a ‘Little Venice’ in Sarawak by introducing a canal system to serve as an urban stormwater retention system, as well as to maintain the water level in the peat soil.
“The canal system seems a feasible solution to the flood woes which have been plaguing Bukit Assek for decades.
“I urge the Premier, therefore, to open the doors to local professionals first before seeking for answers and inspirations from overseas, which might cost our taxpayers a lot of consultation fees,”
Meanwhile, she also questioned if the State government funded the official trip and reminded that all elected representatives and government servants need to be transparent and accountable to the people for every sen spent of the taxpayers’ money.
“If this trip is an official trip, then it should reveal in detail the agenda, including the day-to-day schedule, and with whom would the deputy minister and his team would be meeting during these two weeks.
“In any event, the people would expect a full and detailed report from the deputy minister on this study mission to Australia when he comes back.” — DayakDaily
