By Ling Hui and Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Nov 13: The Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has agreed in principle to install street lighting along Jalan FAC in Matang here, as requested by Pantai Damai assemblyman Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi.
However, Abang Johari said the community leaders must work with the government to prevent the lights from being vandalised or the cables from being stolen again.
“God-willing, it (the street lighting installation) will be implemented. But I need the help of penghulu and ketua kaum (community leaders) to catch those who try to steal the copper cables.
“We must work together to prevent damage. We can do the installation anytime, but we must prevent people from destroying them,” he said when officiating at the Sarawakku Sayang programme at Esplanade Telaga Air today.
According to Dr Abdul Rahman in his speech earlier, the road sections from Simpang Kopodim to Simpang Matang and into Jalan Matang until Simpang Selang has been petang-peti (pitch black) for almost eight years now.
Not that the government did not install any lighting, but there have been several theft cases where the copper cables were stolen, causing blackouts in the area, he explained.
“Maybe the locals here are already used to it, but I wish to propose this to the premier so that Jalan FAC can be as bright as other roads in Sarawak.
“This is my only request today from the premier as a leader in Telaga Air,” he said. — DayakDaily
