KUCHING: More than 1,200 streetlights have been installed across Batu Kitang since 2016 in efforts to improve security, particularly along dark back lanes and housing estates.
Its assemblyman Datuk Lo Khere Chiang said security remained among the concerns frequently raised by residents in the constituency.
He said requests for streetlights had reduced over the years, although some were still being received.
“So far, I have put up more than 1,200 streetlights since I took office in 2016, especially in back lanes and housing estates.
“There were back lanes that were very dark. Security is a concern, so I put up streetlights at the back lanes when there was a request.
“We are going to do it every year. I’m going to put in allocations for all these infrastructure facilities,” he said during a press conference on the upcoming Community Engagement and Neighbourhood Watch Dialogue at Batu Kitang Service Centre here today.
Apart from streetlights, he said six closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras had been installed along Arang Road and another in the Third Mile area.
He added that more CCTV cameras would be installed throughout Sarawak by the Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA).
Meanwhile, Lo urged residents to use the upcoming dialogue to raise concerns involving security, traffic, drainage, infrastructure and other issues in their neighbourhoods.
The programme will be held at Choon Foh Kopitiam, Capital Garden, at 10am this Saturday (Sept 12).
Representatives from Padawan Municipal Council (MPP), the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID), Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and Sarawak Water Sdn Bhd have been invited to participate.
Lo said all issues raised during the dialogue would be recorded and subsequently forwarded to the relevant agencies for follow-up.
“I encourage residents to raise their problems and concerns with us so that we can better understand what matters most to the community and try to help.
“Whether it involves traffic, drainage, security, drain maintenance or even missing fire hydrants, these are issues that can be raised during the dialogue.
“It will also give us an opportunity to explain our future programmes for Batu Kitang,” he said.
