SIBU: Bawang Assan assemblyman, Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, inspected two key locations in Paradom here on Wednesday (May 6) to review a recently completed solar street lighting project.
The inspection was not only aimed at assessing the quality of the infrastructure, but also reflected strong commitment toward enhancing public safety within his constituency.
He was accompanied by Paradom Service Committee Chairman Ting Feng Hua, Kapitan Hui Cheng Ju, Kapitan Ling Nai Bu, and several local community leaders.
During the visit, Wong said as part of a broader strategy to improve the overall safety index, a total of 100 solar street lights have been strategically installed throughout the constituency.
Among the priority areas, 20 solar street lights have already been installed along the busy stretch connecting the Naman Bridge to the Chung Cheng Middle School junction.
At the same time, recognising that certain areas bordering Teku Lepo also fall under the jurisdiction of Bawang Assan, the project has expanded, ensuring that residents in more remote areas can equally benefit from improved public safety measures.
Wong, who is also Progressive Democratic Party (PDP Senior Vice President described road lighting as one of the key livelihood concerns he has consistently prioritised.
He revealed that in the past, he had used his own funds to install lighting facilities along several high-risk roads, with the hope of providing safer and brighter journeys home for residents at night.
Unfortunately, these public facilities intended for the benefit of the people were repeatedly vandalised by irresponsible individuals.
To put an end to the recurring cycle of repair and theft, Wong recently convened a meeting with leaders of the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK), where a more comprehensive and secure preventive strategy was discussed and implemented.
“Under the latest installation phase, all solar light poles are now constructed according to reinforced installation standards. Unlike previous methods where poles were simply erected, the new approach involves sealing the base of each pole firmly into the ground using high-grade cement, significantly increasing the difficulty of removal. In addition, PDP party logos have been affixed to the installations.
“This strengthened anti-theft approach reflects the determination to safeguard community facilities and ensure that the light serving the people will not be extinguished by criminal activities,” he stressed.
In this context Wong said that peace and development within the community can only be achieved through collective responsibility.
