Several issues faced by the residents of Simunjan need to be addressed by the state government.
Awla Idris (GPS-Simunjan) said this in his speech while debating the motion of thanks to the Head of State for his speech in the State Legislative Assembly.
He pointed out that the Gedong-Simunjan Bridge required the convenience of street lighting as it was an alternative route to the nearby areas such as Samarahan, Serian and Kuching.
“The dark road condition is very dangerous to users who pass through the bridge,” he said.
Apart from that, Awla said many villages such as Kampung Sedilo were still without power.
Many of the villagers had to use generators which forced them to spend a lot of money on fuel as the prices of petrol and diesel prices were uncertain.
“There are also villagers who have not received electricity although the villages are connected to the main electricity grid and with this, I am urging the Public Utilities Ministry through the Rural Electricity Supply Project to take appropriate action to address this problem,” he added.
Awla also urged the state government to upgrade the existing hospital in Simunjan or build a new one because of the increasing population there.
“The hospital also requires better medical equipment and ambulance facilities. The hospital staff need more conducive residential quarters. More government quarters have to be built as many hospital employees are forced to rent due to these shortcomings,” he said.
Awla said the Simunjan Regional Agriculture Department staff also required more conducive housing quarters.
He also requested for the upgrading of the District Agriculture Department office which was currently unsafe to use.
Awla pointed out that many Bumiputera entrepreneurs were keen to trade to boost their socio-economic status but there were no fixed or strategic business permits in Simunjan.
“I hope that the Industrial and Entrepreneur Development Ministry will help the Bumiputera entrepreneurs, especially the youths who are keen to venture into business.
“Most of them are trading by the roadside, endangering themselves and other road users,” he said.
There are no hawker centre development in the area but Awla hoped that Bumiputera Entrepreneur Anjung would bring more job opportunities for the local people.
The assemblyman also requested the state government through the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) to expedite the implementation of a project to eradicate river erosion at Kampung Sageng Hilir.
“In 2016, the erosion has caused the by-pass road to the main road to be disconnected. The road cannot be used until now,” he said.
