Uggah handles irrigation; drains go to Sim while Lee gets transportation
KUCHING: The state government is looking at three aspects in its bid to turn this metropolis into a smart city.
These are the drainage system, security and public transportation.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg in revealing this yesterday said to make the smart city happen, he has all the jobs assigned.
“I am giving the irrigation system to Uggah (Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas) to handle while Sim (Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian) will handle the drains,” he said at a farewell ceremony for former Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Datuk James Chan and former Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) Mayor Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julai at a hotel here last Friday night.
The reason he gave for splitting the “drainage system” portfolio into “irrigation” and “drains” is the expanding housing areas around the city that require drainage systems that are systematic.
As with anything to do with development, nothing moves without money, so to build more organised drainage systems, the state government is now focusing on the funds.
As for security, Abang Johari said the city will be made safe by partly using electronic security equipment to complement the police in order to curb crime especially in areas that are frequented by tourists as well as areas that are currently not well-lit at night.
He added that due to the increase in population and residential areas, traffic congestion is one of the issues that need to be resolved immediately.
“For it, I appointed Datuk Lee Kim Shin as Minister of Transport to manage traffic congestion in major towns and cities in Sarawak. We are also adopting a new approach by building Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) to provide comfortable transportation,” he said.
