Lo: PMC won’t hesitate to remove small culverts that block drains

February 25, 2021, Thursday at 3:37 PM

Lo Khere Chiang

KUCHING (Feb 25): Padawan Municipal Council (PMC) will dig out small culverts put in by developers which blocks drains as a flash flood preventive measure.

Its chairman Cr Lo Khere Chiang also encouraged the public to report blockages of drains at construction sites to the council so that it can be rectified immediately.

He added that immediate action was taken to instruct offending developers to clear the blockages at temporary drains at construction sites to prevent flash floods.

“I have gone in and dug up these culverts and throw them to the side. I don’t care. Plans need to be submitted, the sense of responsibility is not there,” he said regarding what he termed as “irresponsible acts” of some developers.

He said this during a post council meeting press conference held via Zoom today.

Aside from that, the council has and will support Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) flood mitigation projects in flood prone areas like Stakan, Desa Wira and RPR Batu Kawa.

“DID has allocated RM120 million for a flood mitigation and drainage system upgrading project at Batu Kawa. Local Government and Housing Minister Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian has been going around to ensure the project is carried out in the most efficient way.”

The project will be carried out under the 12th Malaysia Plan (2021-2025) and will include improving of drainage systems at Batu Kawa Lorong 1C and 3, Sungai Moyan, Sungai Surih, Jalan Field Force, Desa Wira and RPR Batu Kawa as well as the riverbank rehabilitation works at Kampung Sinar Budi Baru.

Meanwhile, Lo said ratepayers in the council’s jurisdiction will get a discount on their assessment rates.

For residential properties, there is a discount of 30 per cent to 100 per cent for rates up to RM400 for the whole year, while those above RM400 will receive a 25 per cent discount for half year, from Jan to June 2021.

“Rates of RM50 and below will get a 100 per cent discount, up to RM400 for the whole year’s assessment rates. Above RM400 will only get a discount for half year,” said Lo.

For Commercial, Industrial and special purpose-built properties owned by individuals or companies, they will receive a discount of 25 per cent for the half year rate, from Jan to June 2021.

“The assessment rate discount started under the leadership of the late Tok Nan (Pehin Sri Adenan Satem) and continued by the current Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg. Sarawak is the only state that offers discounts for assessment rates, and I want everyone to know about this discount.”

Don’t clog drainage system, Lo tells errant parties

By

 Tania Lam

 - 

February 25, 2021

Lo Khere Chiang . Photo: Mohd Alif Noni

KUCHING: In an effort to alleviate the occurrence of flash floods, Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang has reminded all relevant parties such as developers and contractors not to block drainageways.

“Don’t just place small culverts in earth drains or temporary earth drains to allow water to flow through. When it rains, the small culvert cannot discharge our torrential kind of rainfall.

“This causes backflow and flooding upstream of the construction site,” he said during a press conference via Zoom after the MPP full council meeting on Thursday (Feb 25).

He said MPP had taken measures to dig up these culverts in a few locations.

“In fact, for whatever has got to be done, plans have to be submitted. Not only are plans not submitted, the sense of responsibility is not there. So we will dig these up if they do not do things properly.”

He said there were a lot of common problems such as this and thus urged developers and contractors to be aware of the issue and consequences.

He also encouraged the public to report such issues to MPP.

At the same time, he expressed MPP’s support for the Department of Irrigation and Drainage’s (DID) Flood Mitigation Project (FMP).

Lo acknowledged that DID had been working hard to find solutions to the flooding problem, pointing out that there were a number of FMPs in areas under MPP’s jurisdiction such as Stakan and Batu Kawa.

“DID has allocated RM120mil for FMPs in the Batu Kawa area alone.

“So our Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian has been going around to ensure that the funds allocated will be made use of in the most efficient way.”

https://www.newsarawaktribune.com.my/dont-clog-drainage-system-lo-tells-errant-parties/?fbclid=IwAR0DrVXsCtjBnMdSPqaBsKbXhLhGT360YiZjsvxmDm2mOcpy1-4wsnqjk_w

Lo: Coffee shops to continue serving with cutleries in hot water

Feb 25, 2021 @ 14:34

Lo (bottom) in a Zoom meeting with MPP officers and the press on updates at MPP areas

By Ling Hui

KUCHING, Feb 25: Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang applauds the efforts of some eateries in serving cutleries in hot water and urges for the continuation of such practice.

“I know a lot of the coffee shops are practicing this, so please continue to do so. Other eatery owners are also advised to prepare spoons, forks or chopsticks in hot water to kill any bacteria or virus,” he said.

He also urged for all employees in the food and beverage sector to always have their face masks on and to maintain cleanliness while doing regular sanitisation at least three times a day.

Lo, who is also Batu Kitang assemblyman, pointed out that people seem to be complacent despite the spike of new cases and fatality cases in the state.

“People are being relaxed, and this makes it hard for the authorities to bring the (number of) cases down.

“We really need to be careful as we comply with SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) at coffee shops, markets and so on,” he remarked during a Zoom meeting with MPP staff and the media earlier today.

As of yesterday (Feb 24), he noted a total of 76 fatalities due to Coronavirus were recorded in Sarawak since the pandemic outbreak early last year.

Currently the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) is being implemented in Kampung Sungai Maong from Feb 17 to March 2, and in Kampung Emperoh Jambu, Padawan from Feb 23 to March 8.

On this issue, Lo said one additional case was reported in Kampung Sungai Maong and 31 more cases in Kampung Emperoh Jambu yesterday pushing the total tally up to 45 and 101 cases respectively.

Thus, he appealed everyone to cooperate and make an effort to stop the chain of transmission as soon as possible. — DayakDaily

https://dayakdaily.com/lo-coffee-shops-to-continue-serving-with-cutleries-in-hot-water/?fbclid=IwAR3D9U3np7EEuJyIJ8hEz3Jfc-RpjaRPmqjXMw_FntU0utHhd1DL05xCWZk

Flood situation improves following fine weather

By

 Alverdtekoster Anyap

 - 

January 16, 2021

Batu Kitang Assemblyman and Chairman of MPP Lo Khere Chiang.

KUCHING: The situation in flood affected areas under the Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) jurisdiction has improved following fine weather today.

MPP chairman Lo Khere Chiang said this when contacted by New Sarawak Tribune today for updates on the flood situation in MPP areas.

“Today there are no more flooding as the weather has improved, but there are still parts of low-lying areas still inundated.

“Two days ago, the flooding was really bad because of continuous heavy rains. The worse flooded area was at Taman Malihah,” he said.

He pointed out that the evacuation of flood victims could not have gone on smoothly without the help of government agencies as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

He singled out the fire brigade, civil defence force and several NGOs which had helped in evacuating flood victims to the relief centres.

“On our part, MPP have been helping to distribute food and supplies to the victims,” he said.

Lo also informed that there were cases of soil erosions happening in Padawan area due to the heavy rains.

“We have sent personnel to areas where landslides have occurred to cover the soil with plastic sheets in order to prevent further landslides from happening.

“Some roads were cut off because of the soil erosion, so it will take time to rebuild and repair the roads,” said Lo.

https://www.newsarawaktribune.com.my/flood-situation-improves-following-fine-weather/

RM60 mln approved for MPP office complex

By

 News Desk

 - 

February 10, 2021

Abang Johari (third right) receives a book as a token of appreciation from Lo. Looking on are (from left) Ahmad, Dr Sim and Mohamad.

KUCHING: The Sarawak government has approved an allocation of RM60 million for the development of a new Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) office complex.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg announced this when an MPP delegation paid a courtesy call on him at his office in Wisma Bapa Malaysia, Petra Jaya today.

The delegation was led by MPP chairman, who is Batu Kitang assemblyman, Lo Khere Chiang.

Lo thanked the chief minister for the approval of the project, adding “it would be a nine-storey green-concept building.”

He said the project would be developed on a 50-acre site and equipped with various facilities including a library, auditorium and sports facilities.

There are no immediate details on the proposed project including the tentative date for the commencement of the construction work and except that it would be fronting the main Kuching/Serian Road.

However, Lo said the new MPP building is expected to save between 20 and 30 percent in power usage.

It would also meet the needs of the tourism sector given its strategic location and proximity to the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, Borneo Highlands, Rafflessia Park, Biodiversity Park and Anah Rais Longhouse.

On a separate development, Lo said the existing MPP office building would be transformed into a commercial building once the new office complex is ready for occupation.

“It will at least be able to contribute some income to the council,” he said.

Also present during the courtesy call were Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, deputy state secretary Datuk Seri Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki and MPP deputy chairman Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim.

https://www.newsarawaktribune.com.my/rm60-mln-approved-for-mpp-office-complex/?fbclid=IwAR3FGAHKF9QB2T8002f7VtzgFPjmEJhMi1TC_M2x99AqlFE2jTcZYReLWr8