By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 11: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) P196 Stampin candidate Lo Khere Chiang wants to demand a fire station be built in the constituency, especially to serve areas between Kuching and Bau, if elected into Parliament.
He emphasised that there is a need for a fire station as the nearest one is in Kuching, and the next station is in Bau.
“It is that far. So if there is a fire in the middle of Bau and Kuching, this fire station can respond to the emergency more speedily. This is also in consideration of the needs in Lidah Tanah and residential areas further up.
“But it is not for Stampin only; even Siburan doesn’t have a proper fire station,” he said at a press conference held at his Batu Kitang service centre in Mile 6 today.
Lo, also Batu Kitang assemblyman and Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman, explained that it was a coincidence that the demand for a fire station was listed in his manifesto and not due to the fire that broke out at a shophouse in 3rd Mile Bazaar yesterday.
In addition, he said that he would also pursue all federal agencies in Sarawak to have greater autonomy in running their operations in Sarawak without the need to get permission from the Federal government.
“Federal government can provide the funding but don’t interfere with the administrative affairs of these agencies in Sarawak,” he said.
Referring to the failed Mile 15 roundabout along the Pan Borneo Highway that is prone to accidents, Lo said the impractical design was done by Public Works Department (JKR) Malaysia, which did not consider the condition in Sarawak in their planning.
Greater authority, he added, should also be given to agencies like JKR, Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB), and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID).
“I have raised many issues in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN), but some things are not under the State’s jurisdiction.
“This time, I want to go into Parliament (if given the privilege) to make noise and bash those who do lousy work on Sarawak,” he pledged.
Also present were Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Batu Kitang branch secretary Amy Tnay, branch organising secretary Gerald Goh, and branch Youth chief Alvin Chong. — DayakDaily
