Lo: Mile 6 junction to close only when Mile 7 traffic lights operational
Lo (left) speaks to the contractor – Photo by Roystein Emmor
KUCHING (Sept 29): The Mile 6 traffic light junction at Jalan Kuching-Serian here should not be closed for the time being as it may worsen the traffic congestion in the area, says Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang.
When met by reporters after a site visit to the site yesterday, he said the contractor had proposed for a temporary closure of the junction to do road resurfacing works.
Lo said he rejected the contractor’s proposal as road users were already badly affected by the temporary closure of the Mile 7 and 10 traffic light junctions.
“The contractor wanted to close the Mile 6 junction, but the works on Mile 7 and 10 junctions have not finished. I told them this cannot be done.
“How can the contractor close the Mile 6 junction? The Mile 7 and 10 are already experiencing traffic jams. Even the Sungai Tapang road is experiencing traffic jams.
“I told them that before they close this junction, the Mile 7 junction must be opened first and the traffic light operational before they can close the Mile 6 junction,” he said
Lo, who is also Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman, said the contractor had agreed to close the Mile 6 junction in 2 weeks’ time (mid-October) when the Mile 7 traffic lights are operational.
About 40,000 to 50,000 vehicles pass through the Mile 6 junction daily, and Lo asked the contractor to open a U-turn in front of Kuching Sentral Bus Terminal to prevent further traffic congestion.
MPP Chairman Lo Khere Chiang (left) mentioning about the traffic jam which will happen when the route under the flyover is to be temporarily closed, while (from right) Julian Lau of Samling, Chee Yuan Fong of JKR and Penghulu Lai Boon Khee look on. Photo: Ramidi Subari
By Rachel Mina
KUCHING: Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) Chairman Lo Khere Chiang has urged contractors to postpone the closure of the traffic light junction in Mile 6 here.
According to him, the closure of the road by the Public Works Department (JKR) was to give way for the reconstruction of the pavement for the Pan Borneo Highway project and this would affect the Kuching to Serian route.
Lo said the closure would cause a huge problem and inconvenience to road users.
“The Mile 7 and Mile 10 routes have not been settled yet…if they also close the Mile 6 route, a severe jam will happen as 40 to 50,000 cars use this road daily. In addition, the Tapang road is already jammed as it is.
“Hence, I appealed to the contractors that they must first open the Mile 7 route and ensure the road near the traffic light there is accessible before proceeding with the closure.”
He said this during a visit to Mile 6 on Tuesday (Sept 28).
Fortunately, he revealed that the contractors had agreed to open the Mile 7 route in two weeks’ time, expected to be mid-October.
“I’m voicing out on the matter as a wakil rakyat and the area is under MPP. Many of the residents will be affected, especially those travelling the Kuching to Serian road.”
In the meantime, Lo also commented on the ongoing Mile 6 flyover project.
“The project is also under JKR, the flyover is expected to be completed next year.”
The construction of the flyover at Mile 6. Photo: Ramidi Subari
Organiser goes all out in ensuring strict SOP compliance in Sarawak Adventure Challenge 2021
Miro takes a closer look at the SAC 2021 poster after its unveiling at Ayak Gallery in Siniawan Bazaar. Looking on (from right) are Chua, Lo and Basiuk. — Photo by Chimon Upon
BAU (Sept 25): Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah is confident that the Sarawak Adventure Challenge (SAC) would continue to be an effective means of promoting Sarawak, particularly the Siniawan area, through sports tourism.
He is also confident that given its experience, the organiser Draco Action Sports would ensure strict compliance with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) amongst the competitors and local residents throughout the one-day event in Siniawan on Nov 7.
The competitors would slug it out in a number of formats and categories of mountain-biking and trail-running, covering distances of over 40km and 12km, respectively.
“I have been assured by the organiser that all aspects of the event are appropriate, focusing on safety, proper health protocols and social distancing measures, including the use of electronic timing.
“I am also confident that the routes used for the race would serve to link the various attractions in the area to provide more activity options for visitors and locals alike,” said Abdul Karim, who is also Minister of Youth and Sports, in his speech to mark the launch of the ‘Fifth Sarawak Adventure Challenge’ at Ayak Gallery, Siniawan Bazaar here yesterday.
The minister’s speech text was read by Serembu assemblyman Miro Simuh.
According to Abdul Kari, events such as the SAC are ways to promote the adventure and recreation potential of Sarawak not only to international tourists, but also to the local people.
“This is evident from the increasing local participation in the event. The event is also an excellent platform for highlighting the spectacular scenery and natural attractions that Sarawak has to offer.
“I’ve also noted that the event has grown in popularity after its inaugural hosting in 2017,” said Abdul Karim.
Since its introduction, the SAC has attracted participants from all around Asia including Peninsular Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong, China and Taiwan.
In 2020, the event attracted 250 participants but due of travel restrictions, it was limited to Sarawak only.
“Even with these restrictions, the event was successfully held with 240 locals enjoying the challenge,” said Abdul Karim.
This year’s theme ‘The Evolution Trail’ serves as a tribute to the local communities and the area’s significant history including the communities calling Bung Muan home, the people living along the river, the miners who came and settled here, the supporting businesses, and even the tourists.
“Every year, the SAC would promote a new venue and carry unique themes to create awareness of Sarawak’s attractions and adventure potential.
“From the first year in Fairy Cave, came ‘The Lost Mines’; the event had featured Singai through ‘The Sacred Mountain’, Lundu with ‘Mountain to Coast’, Serian with ‘The Jade Cave’, and now Siniawan with ‘The Evolution Trail. Each location has its unique story and stunning attractions,” said the minister.
Also present yesterday were Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang who is also Padawan Municipal Council chairman, Bau District Council deputy chairman Eddy Nayoi, as well as SAC co-race directors Chua Juan Chuan and Robert Basiuk.
The Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) has given its reassurance that the jogging track at the Taman Kuching City Mall park will be repaired.
#LoKhereChiang
#N13BatuKitang
#巴达旺
#MPP
.
KUCHING: The Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) has given its reassurance that the jogging track at the Taman Kuching City Mall park will be repaired.
A resident sought the council’s help to improve the jogging track situated at a mini park in Lorong 7 of the residential area which was in a deplorable state.
“The MPP will carry out the necessary repairs,” its chairman Lo Khere Chiang told New Sarawak Tribune on Saturday (Sept 25) in response to the complaint made.
The park, according to the resident, is frequented by over 150 residents in the area.
Padawan Municipal Council develops procedure for Covid-19 cases at markets to avoid future closures
File photo shows traders at the Mile 7 market.
KUCHING (Sept 10): The Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) has formulated a procedure to handle Covid-19 cases at markets and trading areas under its jurisdiction in order to minimise disruptions and closures of markets in future.
In a statement, MPP chairman Lo Khere Chiang said this is necessary in the post-vaccination era where the people need to live with the virus.
“MPP has and will monitor any hawker infected with Covid-19 and will immediately demand that close contacts such as the stall assistants and nearby hawkers to go for a swab test, failing which they will be unable to trade.
“This way we will be able to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and the closure of the market. Advice will also be sought from the Kuching Divisional Health Office and MPP shall work closely with the Kuching Divisional Health Office and enforcement agencies to keep Covid-19 cases down not only in the markets but in the whole of MPP area,” he said.
In order to minimise disruptions in future, Lo said routine self-testing may also become the norm in order to manage the spread of Covid-19.
He said MPP understands that hawkers want to be able to trade every day to earn a livelihood.
“Everyone wants the economic sectors to be open and vibrant. Everyone has a responsibility to help reduce the spread of Covid-19. Fighting Covid-19 is our joint responsibility.
“MPP shall continuously monitor and ensure our markets and trading places are clean and safe for all. Our traders and hawkers, members of the public including the economic sectors are once again reminded to continue and step up our efforts in observing and complying with the standard operating procedures (SOPs). This is in order to keep the economic sectors open and ensure all are safe,” he said.
Lo said three markets and a temporary hawker centre under MPP resumed operations yesterday (Sept 9) following a reopening order from the Kuching Divisional Health Office, said Lo Khere Chiang today.
They were the Mile 3 Market, Mile 7 Market, Mile 10 Market, and Desa Wira Temporary Hawker Centre.
He said although the Cat’s Walk Street Market at Kuching City Mall was also cleared by the Health office, its reopening has been postponed.
“The Cat’s Walk Street Market at Kuching City Mall is unable to open as the operator and his management team are under quarantine until Sept 15.
“The Cat’s Walk Street Market at Kuching City Mall will reopen thereafter. Prior to this, all the above-mentioned markets and hawker centres were issued with the closure order from Sept 3 until further notice,” he said.
He said MPP adhered to and enforced the Ministry of Health’s (MoH) directive and closure order.
All the hawkers involved underwent swab tests and quarantined themselves until their tests results were clear.
Lo said the hawkers had cooperated as they understood that the closures were necessary for their own safety as well as that of their families and the community.
The hawkers also updated MPP on their swab test results and the local authority constantly kept the Kuching Divisional Health Office informed, he said.
Lo added MPP also carried out thorough cleaning and disinfection at the markets and temporary hawker centre.
“With the thorough disinfection of the markets and the swab test results, MPP then applied to the Kuching Divisional Health Office for the reopening of the markets and trading places,” he explained.
He thanked the Kuching Divisional Health Office for its understanding and consideration of MPP’s appeal for the hawkers who tested negative for Covid-19 to resume trading.
KUCHING: The Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) has announced that five markets will be closed to the public starting from today (Sept 3) until further notice.
The affected markets are Pasar Awam Kota Padawan in 10th Mile, Pasar Awam Kota Sentosa in 7th Mile, Pasar Awam Sungai Maong in 3rd Mile, Cat’s Walk Street Market in Kuching City Mall and Pusat Penjaja Sementara Taman Desa Wira.
“Any inconvenience caused is greatly regretted,” it said in a notice on Thursday (Sept 2).
Meanwhile, MPP chairman Lo Khere Chiang disclosed that the directives for the closure of the markets came from the Ministry of Health (MoH).
In revealing this, he noted that the council does not have the figures of how many positive cases that have been recorded by MoH which led to the directives being issued.
“It must be hard for MoH to deliver such drastic decisions to close down five of our markets, but I am sure that it has taken into consideration the safety of the people first.
“We still have other smaller markets in and around our jurisdiction that are safe to operate,” he said.
At the same time, the Batu Kitang assemblyman advised traders and hawkers to maintain the highest level of hygiene so that there is no record of positive cases from the respective hawker centres.
