Lo: Hydro dams will benefit the people

KUCHING: The construction of hydro dams throughout the state will benefit the people, Chairman on Padawan Municipal Council Lo Khere Chiang told reporters during a Chinese New Year visit to his house last Monday.

“The building of hydro dams also attracts investments especially from the federal government to provide the funds for the state to build the dams.

Apart from that, the state will also be able to sell electricity to our neighbours,” he said, adding that with many development projects being implemented job opportunities will be created.

“Investors will only invest when they are confident of making a profit and although the dams are not yet completed, investors can already see the advantages,” he pointed out.

Lo also told reporters that not only the building of the dams but also the implementation of Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) will attract investors to the state.

Lo pointed out that SCORE investors include those from Japan, Korea, China and Taiwan.

“SCORE will certainly benefit the younger generation as is the intention of our leaders to make the people benefit from it,” he said.

Lo t o l d t h e m e d i a t hat before he was a bit skeptical on SCORE.

“But now since I am more involved with the development, I lauded the Chief Minister Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud for being a step ahead in the state’s development by implementing SCORE,” he said.

Lo also talked on the development taking place in Kuching with more commercial building being built such as Giant Hyper Markets, Kuching Sentral and many others in the offing.

“There is no reason why we should shun these developments as they are meant to benefit our state and transform our economy,” he said.

Lo also disclosed that the parking coupon system will be implemented in the Padawan Municipal Council.

“We are taking this action because of the attitude of the traders.Some of them would park more than one vehicle in front of their business premises to deny others of the vacant spaces,” he said.

Although the actual date of implementation of the system has not been decided yet, Lo said that several areas have been earmarked for the system.“Among the areas are 3rd Mile Bazaar, MJC shop lots, 7th Mile Bazaar, 10th Mile Bazaar and Matang among others.The parking rates will not be any different compared to councils in the city,” he said.

Earlier on, Acting Head of State Datuk Amar Haji Mohammad Asfia Awang Nasar and his wife paid a Chinese New Year visit to Lo at his residence.
 

Source: Sarawak Tribune Wednesday, 25 January 2012 11:38 | Written by Charles Janum

MPP introduces pay parking at commercial centres

 

FESTIVE CHEER FOR CHILDREN: Lo (second left) presenting ‘ang pows’ to children at his open house yesterday.

KUCHING: The next time you park your car at any of the commercial centres under the jurisdiction of Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) don’t be surprised if you are asked to pay for the spot.

As of this year, MPP has announced that free parking will no longer be available all commercial centres under its control as it has decided to follow the example of two other local councils in Kuching, Kuching City South Council (MBKS) and Kuching City North Commission (DBKU) that have already imposed charges on gazetted parking lots.

MPP chairman Lo Khere Chiang said the council is now in the process of gazetting several key locales to be turned into pay parking areas.

Among the areas include Sungai Maong (or Third Mile) bazaar, MJC new township and Matang Jaya.

Even so, Lo said people should not be overly concerned as the fees would be similar to that charged by other councils.

“The charges will be no more, no less (than that charged at DBKU and MBKS areas),” he told reporters at his Chinese New Year open house on Monday.

According to Lo, the pay parking system is a good way to ensure that motorists have an opportunity to locate and use available lots to park their vehicles at the proper places.

“Often at prime areas, we see shop owners parking one or two of their vehicles at the parking lots, depriving others of parking space. With pay lots, I believe this will no longer be a problem,” he said.

On another matter, Lo said this year’s CNY celebration for him and his family was made even more special with the visit by acting Head of State Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar.

He believes this signifies the recognition of his work as MPP chairman since he was appointed in June 2010.

Borneo Post: January 25, 2012

PMC collected over 80 pct in assessment rate last year

 

KUCHING: T h e Pa d awan Municipal Council (PMC) successfully collected RM17.75 million (83.7%) from assessment rates for the year ending 31 December, 2010 compared to RM17.45 million collected in 2009.

When contacted by New Sarawak Tribune yesterday, PMC Chairman Lo Khere Chiang said that the Council had always been able to collect an average of 80 per cent every year.

“Our normal collection of 80 per cent every year has always been achievable despite many defaulters,” he said.

Asked what the penalties for these defaulters are, Lo said that they would be subjected to the rules and regulations on default payment as stipulated by the Council, adding that the defaulters would be given two warning letters before the Council takes further action.

“If the defaulters still do not pay after the caveat (warning letters), we will bring the matter to court for further action,” he said, adding that the Council have the right to caveat the land under its jurisdiction if the land owner still refused to pay.

“After they have paid the rates then we will release the land to them,” he said.

Lo also mentioned that defaulters will incur one per cent interest rate per month if they do not pay their overdue assessment rate.

“The Council will not increase the assessment rates for every property under its jurisdiction for this year.We will have to check the areas thoroughly and see if there is a need to increase the rate,” he pointed out.

As for the cost of vandalism the Council has to bear, Lo disclosed that last year PMC had to spend about RM800,000 for the replacement of drain covers and other items in its areas which were stolen or vandalised.

He was not sure of last year’s losses on vandalism and theft but said that the Council had replaced many drain covers using concrete ones last year for which he expects the losses this year to decrease.

“I would have to check with our engineering section on this matter as they are the ones who are monitoring the matter,” he said, adding that he has yet to call for the Council’s first meeting for this year as they have recently closed their accounts on 31 December, 2011.

When asked if there are any new projects in the pipeline, Lo said that there are a few which he could not reveal just yet until their next council’s meeting.

 

Tuesday, 10 January 2012 11:02 | Written by Emy Lindsay