By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, Sept 14: The Sarawak government will focus on upgrading urban drainage system, enhance security surveillance and develop the public transportation system as part of the future development plans to transform Kuching city.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg pointed out that the implementation of the drainage masterplan for urban city centre will be handled by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID).
“The state government has decided Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas will oversea the development of irrigation while Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian will oversee the drainage,” he explained.
“The plans will be concentrated in the all areas in the urban city centre here,” he addressed the Farewell and Appreciation Dinner for former Kuching City South Council (MBKS) mayor Datuk James Chan and former Kuching City North Hall (DBKU) Datuk Bandar Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julai at a hotel here on Friday (Sept 13) night.
He also emphasised that even though budget has always been a constraint but MBKS and DBKU have come very far in implementing the plans.
“It is a challenge for the state government to continuously carry out the plans as there could be insufficient fund at times,” he said.
“Nevertheless, we need to put focus on developing the urban drainage system,” he added.
Abang Johari highlighted that safety and security was the second aspect which the state government will focus on the future development for Kuching City.
“Even though safety in our area is good but we need to enhance this aspect with installation of new and latest gadgets especially in the crime-prone areas and tourism spots,” he said.
“The devices will allow us to get image data especially at the Kuching Waterfront which is in line with the government’s efforts to transform Kuching into a smart city,” he added.
Elaborating on, he said that the third aspect will be on the development of public transportation which was the reason the Ministry of Transport has been set up.
“The focus is how are we going to manage our traffic and to develop a new way to provide comfort to our road users,” he added.
Abang Johari thus hope city folks in Kuching can cooperate and work with the two new appointed mayors of the councils so they can continue with the efforts to make Kuching a livable and sustainable city.
Chief Minister’s wife Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, State Secretary Datu Jaul Samoan, Kuching City South Council (MBKS) mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng and Kuching City North Hall (Dbku) Mayor Datu Junaidi Reduan were present.— DayakDaily
