BATU Kitang Assemblyman, Datuk Lo Khere Chiang, has called for swift action on several pressing issues affecting his constituency and the state, including stronger local leadership, enhanced support for professionals, and improved public infrastructure.
He made these remarks during a debate in support of the motion of appreciation for the Head of State, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar’s address in the August House today.
Lo highlighted the rapid population growth in Batu Kitang, stressing the urgent need to appoint two additional Penghulus and two new Ketua Kampung to better serve the expanding communities.
He noted that the current Penghulu overseeing the Malay kampungs from Mile 3 to Mile 6 is managing an area far too large for one person.
“We also require a Bidayuh Penghulu to support our Dayak communities, particularly in fast-growing areas such as Taman Indah Landeh, Taman Sri Permai, and Taman PPR Landeh, which now house over 7,000 residents.”
While commending Kampung Haji Baki for maintaining a drug-free status over the past three years, Lo cautioned against complacency, noting that Sarawak presently has only one drug rehabilitation centre which is PUSPEN in Puncak Borneo.
“With the 2024 amendment to the Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act, I urge both federal and state governments to establish more rehab centres and halfway houses across Sarawak,” he said.
“These centres should provide detox services, counselling, vocational training, and life skills support, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals—especially in health and reducing inequality.”
Lo also expressed concern over the challenging working conditions faced by Engineering Consultancy Practices (ECPs) in the state.
“The Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) Scale of Fees has not been revised despite rising operational costs,” he explained.
“Many professionals are forced to offer discounts of up to 50 per cent, which is both unacceptable and discouraging for our youth.”
He urged making the BEM fees mandatory, charging for Building Information Modelling (BIM) services, and reviewing Sarawak-Specific Professional Indemnity Insurance (SPII) fees that double-charge small firms.
On the topic of public safety, Lo urged the state to install more CCTV cameras in both urban and semi-urban areas, pointing out that Singapore operates 90,000 CCTV units and plans to double that number by 2030.
“We need to assess how many are currently operational here and set a clear five-year target,” he said.
He also called for the construction of a new access road to ease worsening traffic congestion between Jalan Stephen Yong, Jalan Batu Kitang, and Jalan Landeh. Additionally, he pressed for urgent intervention by the Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board (CVLB) to address the hazards caused by heavy lorry traffic near Jalan Arang.
Other urgent concerns included routine inspections of Batu Kitang’s flood alert sirens, resurfacing damaged roads, upgrading the 15th Mile roundabout into an elevated U-turn, and regular clearing of blocked drainage to reduce flood risks during heavy rains.
Lo also highlighted the severe shortage of fire stations in Sarawak, pointing out that the state has only 39 stations compared to Selangor’s 38, despite being more than ten times larger, while Peninsular Malaysia, roughly the same size as Sarawak, has 261 fire stations.
While praising the dedication of Sarawak’s firefighters, Lo insisted that the federal government must do more.
“As the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (BOMBA) falls under the federal Ministry of Housing and Local Government, I urge the MP for Stampin to push for improved infrastructure and modern firefighting equipment in our kampungs. Volunteer brigades cannot substitute professional support,” he said.
