By Nancy Nais
KUCHING, July 20: Residents and members of the public who have been frequenting the Hui Sing recreation park can breathe a sigh of relief as public toilets would finally be built.
Stampin member of Parliament (MP) Chong Chieng Jen, in announcing the good news today, said he has approved allocation for the installation of the public toilet in the park.
Hui Sing park, which has been around for over 20 years, he shared was one of the most popular areas where residents including people from surrounding areas would come for leisure activities daily.
“Visitors to the park faced inconvenience when it comes to answering the call of nature as there are no public toilets in the park,” he told reporters when visiting the park.
“In the absence of public toilets, they have no choice but to go over to Petronas gas station or coffee shops across the main road to ease themselves,” he said, adding that it was very dangerous, especially for elderly people to cross the main roads.
Chong, who is also Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, emphasised that over the years, residents have been repeatedly requested Kuching South City Council (MBKS) to build public toilets in the park.
“But, the answers given was ‘no fund’. So the people have come to us (Democratic Action Party) to seek for help. Since we are part of the new government and we have MP allocations, we have decided to act upon their request,” he added.
The estimated cost for the project, he revealed, was about RM60,000 for two units of toilets for female and male respectively, one unit for the disabled and a common hand-washing area.
He said it was ridiculous that MBKS was unable to provide the fund for a small project like this even after so many years.
As to when the project will take off, Chong said he will leave it to MBKS for the tender process and it should take about two months to complete.
He added that MBKS will be in charge of the maintenance and upkeep of the public toilets.
Padungan assemblyman Wong King Wei, Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong, former Batu Kawah assemblywoman Christina Chiew and former Stampin MP Julian Tan were present. — DayakDaily
