By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 11: Critics from the Opposition party have been urged to actively pursue funding for development and infrastructure maintenance projects instead of merely criticising or pinpointing issues because “money won’t drop from the sky” whenever issues arise.
Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng highlighted that for projects such as upgrading drainage, there is no such thing as “order in today and it can be executed tomorrow or within two months”.
Explaining the complexity of projects, he said it involves extensive planning and paperwork, which is essential to comply with the submission procedures to fight and secure funding for the projects to be implemented.
“On the part of MBKS, we have submitted a thick document to the Federal Minister of Local Government Development, Nga Kor Ming, during his visit this past Monday, detailing drainages under our jurisdiction requiring attention and funding support, including the estimated costs for each project.
“The other matters which we have put forward to the Federal government include public toilets and markets,” he shared during his ShallWeeTalk online session with the community today.
This year’s submission, Wee pointed out, is clearly to bid for next year’s allocation and enable the federal government to budget for Sarawak, as MBKS plans to implement these projects in 2024.
“It is impossible that just by raising or criticising an issue like drainage, it will be addressed immediately without efforts to secure the funding and, secondly, the need to plan for it to be executed.
“Then how or where did the funding come from? The Sarawak government does not work that way. There are proper procedures and mechanisms involved,” he elaborated, hoping the community would understand and not be misled by political narratives.
Earlier, Wee mentioned being surprised that certain quarters attempted to claim credit for the development or infrastructure projects without even fighting for government funding or allocation.
“What is most important is to fight and secure funding for projects that will benefit the community. As the saying goes, ‘no matter whether the cat is black or white, if you can get the funding, you are the cat that can catch the mice’.
“Many projects have been planned and are in our system. There is no need for such little actions or politicising or the need for pressure from certain quarters for the Council to take action,” he said.
Wee emphasised that MBKS will do its best as the Council is committed to serving the community and meeting its growing needs.
He believes that the community would evaluate the Council’s performance.
“Whatever it is, we welcome any quarters to pursue more funding for projects, especially in the MBKS area, and we are willing to collaborate to ensure the timely implementation of necessary projects. This is our city; let’s do it together for the betterment of Kuching,” he urged. — DayakDaily
