KUCHING: The Kuching South City Council (MBKS) has assured that the community of Jalan Selangan Batu will not be left behind in development efforts.
Its mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng said the council has been closely monitoring the area and addressing longstanding issues to improve the residents’ quality of life.
Wee pointed out that among the key concerns is road accessibility, particularly in the event of emergencies.
“I have been here a few times to look into the issues and problems to see how we can improve this area.
“Looking at the road conditions, if anything happens, fire engines may not be able to access the area, except for ambulances. These are issues that have been raised for quite some time and we need to address them before anything unfortunate happens,” he said when met by reporters during a luncheon gathering with the community held here today (Feb 25).
To enhance fire safety, MBKS has called in the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) to inspect the area. While the overall condition was deemed usable, Wee noted that water pressure remains low.
“With that, we will officially request the Sarawak Water to increase the water pressure for firefighting purposes. We are also looking into placing fire extinguishers at strategic locations such as the temple, so that in case of emergency, they can be easily accessed,” he said.
He added that Bomba will also conduct awareness programmes to educate residents on fire safety measures.
In terms of infrastructure, more than 10 LED lights have been installed to brighten up the area, particularly to ensure the safety of schoolchildren who walk through narrow lanes in the dark.
“We want to make sure they are protected and that residents can move about safely at night,” he said, adding that the council is also monitoring the drainage system to ensure proper water flow.
Wee emphasised that MBKS adopts a hands-on approach in addressing basic issues across its jurisdiction, moving from areas such as Padungan, Bintawa and Kenyalang to ensure no community is overlooked.
“Even if I am not physically there, I will always get reports and look into the basic issues that need to be solved. We want to make sure no one is left behind, regardless of which area they are in,” he said.
Currently, Jalan Selangan Batu has about 100 households, although many former residents have relocated.
“We hope to encourage those who have moved out to come back and see how things are progressing and how they can contribute. We have seen in places like Bintawa, former residents who have become successful come back to beautify and contribute to their community,” he said.
Wee underscored the importance of community engagement, describing it as a “two-way street” between the local authority and the people.
“This city does not belong to the government alone. It belongs to everyone. Whatever we implement, the beneficiaries are the rakyat. So before implementation, they must have a role to play. When people feel a sense of belonging and contribute ideas, then the city can truly move forward,” he said.
