Christina assures transparency in fund utilisation
KOTA KINABALU: Transparency will be the order of the day in the spending of her assemblywoman's fund, assured Api Api assemblywoman Datuk Christina Liew.
Speaking to reporters after a site inspection at Sinsuran and Kg Air, Friday, she said the Community Development Leader Unit (UPPM) for the Api Api state constituency would create a website to show how the development fund (example, for repair works) and touch point fund (example immediate aid in times of natural disaster) under the assemblywoman's Fund are being spent.
“My constituents and the general public can log on to the website to find out the nature of the expenditure and how much has been expended for each type of repair work. We will be transparent. We will let them know the email address and telephone line at the UPPM (which is housed at the Api Api Service Centre) to facilitate communication with our full-time staff at the UPPM. The people are welcomed to lodge reports with the Unit,” said Christina who is also a Deputy Chief Minister cum Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment.
Her visit to the two areas was in fulfillment of her election promise to the shopowners and residents that she would come back and attend to their problems if there was a change of government.
She was accompanied by her political secretary Vivien Lee and Community Development Leader (PPM) Grace Lee.
“During my campaign trail in April and May this year, I received numerous complaints from the people. These ranged from poor hygiene to broken slabs on pavements, missing pavers, collapsed drains, poor street lighting, rubbish dumping and the need to re-surface alleys.
“Some of the issues have not been addressed for the last 20 years. I am happy to visit my constituents today together with Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) engineers and other officials. I am thankful for their presence in our joint inspection today,” she said.
Together with the DBKK team, the Api Api assemblywoman identified the spots in Sinsuran and Kg Air that required immediate repair work.
“Work is expected to start next week,” she said.
Among those present were director of Landscape Department Robert Lipon, director of Community Wellbeing Department Anidah Ag Said, Road and Transport Department engineer Saiman Angak, Public Relations Department officer Noulin Mojinun and two lady engineers Hana'ifah Suhaili and Lilitia Jenneh.
Next week, Christina, who thanked media practitioners for their coverage, will re-visit Bandaran Berjaya, Asia City and Sedco area for the same purpose.
“Hopefully, the necessary repair work in all the five areas, using my approved fund for 2018, will be completed before the end of the year. The fund is just coming in,” she said.
She reiterated that solving problems facing her constituency would be a continuous effort, adding she would go full steam next year with the 2019 assemblywoman's fund.
“One thing at a time. By then, I will be looking at other areas in Api Api that also warrant attention,” she said.