By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, March 13: The proposed new Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) headquarters which has been allocated RM60 million in funding, is part of the special initiative by the Sarawak government aimed at enhancing municipal services across Sarawak to provide quality services to the people.
MPP chairman Tan Kai asserted this in responding to criticisms by Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) member Michael Kong that the council should prioritise urgent infrastructure projects over “extravagant spending” to construct a new office building.
“Municipal (sic) is effectively investing in administrative infrastructure in order to deliver better and quality services to the people.
“Other municipal councils, such as Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) and Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS), are also receiving allocations for their upgrades as the residents in its jurisdictions deserve equitable access to quality facilities and to benefit the wider population,” Tan Kai said in a statement today.
Emphasising the significance of the proposed new MPP headquarters, he stated that it will serve as a vital hub for coordinating municipal services in Padawan and bridging the gap between the local council and the community.
He further said that the funding from the Sarawak government is exclusively designated for this purpose and cannot be reallocated for other uses.
“The municipal has no right or authority to re-allocate or utilise the approved funding for any other use. Any upgrading of drainage systems within the MPP jurisdiction relies primarily on funding provided by elected representatives,” he added.
Tan reiterated the council’s responsibility to utilise funds for their intended purposes, including the construction of the new office building, without deviation.
“As a responsible local council subject to annual audits, funds allocated for special purposes are not to be misappropriated or redirected,” he said.
Yesterday, Kong asserted RM60 million earmarked for the new MPP headquarters should be redirected to address the urgent needs of Kuching’s back lanes and drains, rather than giving the excuse of shortage of funds. — DayakDaily
