Request to adjust UTC operating hours ignored — SAPP

KOTA KINABALU: By ignoring the voices of Sabahans and Sarawakians to extend the UTC operating hours, the federal government has shown its arrogance and indifference towards our problem, said Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP).

Its information chief Chin Vui Kai said both Sabah and Sarawak MPs had urged the federal finance minister to restore the operation hours for UTCs in Kota Kinabalu and Kuching to 10pm each stating their respective reasons.

Both MPs had requested the Federal Finance Ministry to adjust the operating hours for UTC from 1pm to 10pm.

Chin said it had been a month and a half (45 days) of waiting since the issue was highlighted in the news by none other than the elected representatives from their own Malaya party who cited confidence the matter could be resolved very soon.

“These MPs from a peninsular party cannot serve Sabahans and Sarawakians efficiently as they have to report to their boss in Malaya,” he lamented.

The operating hours were changed by the Finance Minister much to the displeasure of many who complained that the purpose of UTC was to cater to the working population who did not have time to process their documents during office hours.

UTC KK and UTC Kuching’s operating hours have been shortened from 10pm to 6:30pm and 7pm respectively.

“The federal government should not deprive the Sabah people of the right to convenient and efficient public services and not to add more burden to the people of Sabah,” Chin said.