By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Dec 31: Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) should either request a detailed plan or come up with one and work within the federal allocation to upgrade the football field of Kampung Bumbok, instead of offering flimsy excuses, said Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen.
Chong called on MPP chairman Tan Kai to apologise for the council’s poor decision, which resulted in the failure to utilise the RM114,448 federal allocation approved by the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) in March 2025.
The fund, applied for by the Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK) of Kampung Bumbok and supported by Chong, was intended for upgrading the village football field, with MPP appointed as the implementing agency.
“It is shocking that, despite the federal government allocating the funds, MPP has refused to carry out the project. The excuse that there was no detailed plan is among the flimsiest of all excuses,” Chong said in a statement today.
He stressed that federal allocations are channelled to implementation agencies for specific purposes, and it is the agency’s duty to carry out the work.
“If there is no detailed plan, it is incumbent upon MPP to either request one or develop it and work within the budget. Has MPP done either?,” he asked.
Chong criticised that MPP’s refusal deprived the people of Kampung Bumbok and students at SK St David Bumbok of an upgraded football field this year.
“They will now have to wait until next year for the Sarawak Youth and Sports Department to assume responsibility, with uncertainty over whether the original allocation will still be available.
“Therefore, Tan should apologise to the people of Kampung Bumbok and the students of SK St David Bumbok for the irresponsible act of MPP,” he slammed.
The call for an apology comes after Tan said on Dec 29 that the project stalled because the council had only been notified of the fund release but had not received complete documentation, including technical details such as project scope, design plans, specifications, and bills of quantities.
Tan emphasised that public infrastructure projects must follow standard procedures to ensure feasibility, compliance, and accountability.
Following Chong’s intervention, the Youth and Sports Department is expected to take over the project next year, though it remains unclear if the RM114,448.00 allocation can still be utilised. — DayakDaily
