SIBU: Advisor to the Local Government and Housing Ministry Datuk Chieng Buong Toon has hit out at Lanang MP Alice Lau for calling him “a councillor who digs ditches”.
In his press statement today, Chieng, who is also the chairman of Sibu Urban Renewal Committee, said he was disappointed with the remark.
“The residents in Bukit Assek have suffered long enough and they have literally been soaked in water as flash flood hits them every downpour.
“When I was a councillor from 2004 to 2015, I worked with the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) to clear blocked drains.”
Chieng added his conscience was clear as he was doing his part in community service, and asked what Lau and Bukit Assek assemblywoman Irene Chang had done for the community.
“To me, the most they have done is driving around and pointing their fingers at the floods.
“Is this how they — as the people’s representatives — serve the constituency?” he asked, adding that they should not make such remarks when they have willingly committed themselves to resolving Bukit Assek’s flood problems.
He said he was not shamed by the attack, but instead urged people to learn to appreciate those who willingly committed themselves to the task.
Using the example of the RM10 million Sibu Youth Innovation Centre project under the under the Sibu Urban Renewal Committee, of which Chieng is chairman, he said it showed that they are doing their jobs properly.
On another matter, he said that Sibu lacked economic development which forced its youth to seek job opportunities elsewhere.
“In fact, we are lagging behind major towns like Kuching, Miri and Bintulu.”
He said Sibu used to be vibrant at the height of the logging and shipyard industries and feared development in Sibu might come to a standstill if no efforts were pumped in.
Chieng noted that in the Bukit Assek constituency, houses and roads were sinking and collapsing.
He said these areas were in the peat soil belt from Hua Kiew Road to Amoy Road, where floods were frequent.
“Although flood gates have been built, the flood situation has not improved.
“A master plan must be made to save the deteriorating situation and rebuild Sibu, including plans with improved traffic and drainage systems and others.
“The people and non-governmental organisations must work together to rebuild Sibu without delay.”
