KUCHING: This city like all other cities needs to grow and develop further in whatever directions it can, said Kuching South Mayor Datuk James Chan.
He was responding to negative public comments on the city’s new or proposed shopping malls.
In a recent post on Twitter portraying the design of Metro Mall in Matang, the construction of which is underway, many netizens made known their displeasure as they would rather have a garden or a park.
When this viralled topic was brought to his attention, Mayor Chan pointed out to the New Sarawak Tribune that there are already several parks in the city such as Friendship Park, Kuching Park, Palmarium Park, Stutong Forestry Park, Hui Sing Park, medium sized park like Tabuan Jaya Recreational Park and many smaller open spaces near housing estates.
“Of course, due to our hot tropical weather, park users use the parks in early morning, late afternoon or late evening,” he said.
“It has been observed that these parks are increasingly frequented as most of them are well-maintained, clean and equipped with various exercise machines that are all free for public use.”
As for the construction of more shopping malls, he said they are private developments which has something to do with the law of supply and demand.
“Of course, they need to be approved by the State Planning Authority which would be aware of the necessity and demand for such developments at the locations to be approved.
“Everyone would agree that such developments can bring vibrancy to their locations and the surrounding areas, and most importantly they create jobs,” he said, adding that more shopping malls mean more competition among traders, which in the end would benefit consumers.
Moreover, the hot or rainy weather does not really permit one to go to the parks compared to the temperate climate in other parts of the world.
Thus, during weekends, people prefer to go to shopping malls partly because of free WIFI and air-conditioning.
“If developers feel that there is a market for something, they would go for it. So why not let private enterprise thrive?” Chan said.
He reminded Kuchingites that there is a need to ensure that their city must remain sustainable, liveable and grow in tandem with the people’s growth and expectations.
A Twitter curator for @kuchingborneo created a poll last Saturday for the public to vote for “more parks” or “more malls” and the conclusion was 89 per cent voted for more parks.
A Twitter with the handle @griffson_noel tweeted, “Vivacity ngan Aeonmall gik sik ingat apa benda dlm ya … another mall gik”. What he means is he can’t even remember the contents of Vivacity Megamall and Aeon Mall, yet another mall is being proposed.
Another user, @karmilaamanii, wrote, “Make it the last mall in Kuching, please open up another zoo lah!”, while @afiqahhneesa countered by saying that more shopping malls means more jobs.
@paaajuren tweeted, “Di Kuching dah banyak. Cuba polah di Sibu, Bintulu and others psya di Samarahan, dapat senang sikit dak Unimas and UITM raon sia.” Translation: In Kuching, there are several shopping malls. Why not build more in Sibu, Bintulu and other parts of the state? And also, in Samarahan, so that Unimas and UITM students can spend time there.
