By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Jan 28: The escalators at both ends of the overhead bridge in front of Timberland Medical Centre (TMC) are under the jurisdiction of the Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) and are still functional.
Kuching South City Hall (MBKS) mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng clarified this during his Facebook live session today, in response to Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen, who alleged that MBKS and Sarawak JKR have been passing the issue of the dysfunctional escalators like hot potatoes between each other and for over a year, the escalators have been out of order.
Wee said for the time being, the escalators and the overhead bridge have yet to be handled by MBKS.
“As a people’s representative, you should first find out who is the owner of the escalators.
“JKR intends to hand over (the matter) to the council but the council has no expertise to handle the overhead bridge. So we have not taken over it because we want it to be in perfect condition when it is handed over to us,” said Wee during his ‘Shall WEE Talk’ livestream scheduled every Saturday afternoon.
Wee took the opportunity to remind Chong, who is also Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chief, not to jump to conclusions on the condition of the two escalators.
“Whether it is working, or not functioning, we don’t know. We can’t just jump to some conclusion. May be they (Sarawak JKR) have not turned on the electricity.
“What if they switch it on and it is working? How then? So don’t jump to conclusions,” said Wee, hinting that the two sets of escalators are in fact functional.
Apart from that, Wee also pointed out that the Chinese New Year celebration is still ongoing, and there should not be any finger pointing but a cordial approach to solve issues.
He further pointed out that as people’s representative, the Stampin MP should just go direct to Sarawak JKR and solve the issue through a friendly approach instead of going on live on social media.
To him, there are channels in place in all government agencies and departments where complaints can be lodged and solved instead of making a scene on social media.
“It is still Chinese New Year but I will try to help. I will try to get to JKR later to let them know the situation and we see how we are going to resolve it and who is going to take responsibility for the escalators.
“But I am very sure, for the time being, they are still functional,” said Wee. — DayakDaily
