More funding for Selangau, Stapang to offset ill-effects of Pan Borneo Highway
CHRISTOPHER Gira ( BNTamin) has appealed to the state government to allocate more funding to Selangau town and Stapang town to offset the negative effects both towns are expected to experience once the Pan Borneo Highway is completed.
During the debate on the state Budget 2018 at yesterday’s State Legislative Assembly ( DUN) sitting, Gira said that Selangau and Stapang are popular stopover destinations along the Pan Borneo stretch, but will likely experience large reductions in visitor traffic as the highway completely bypasses them.
To avoid these towns from turning into ‘ dead towns’, he suggested that increased funding should be allocated to upgrade existing infrastructures and basic facilities, such as trader markets, public toilets, landscape, restaurants, parking facilities and banking facilities.
For Selangau town, Gira appealed for the construction of a sports complex, arguing that it is the only district without such a facility. This, he pointed out, limits its people from holding any sporting and or recreational events in town.
“I also wish to request for a government office complex to be built in Selangau as promised by the Deputy Prime Minister during the state election in 2016,” he added.
In terms of medical facilities, Gira lamented that the lack of access to medical treatments like haemodialysis is a concern in Selangau as there are 18 known patients in town who are forced to travel regularly to either Sibu or Mukah to receive treatment.
“I hereby request urgently for three haemodialysis machines to be installed at Klinik Desa to serve the haemodialysis patients in Selangau.”
Beyond improving infrastructure and facilities, Gira also hoped that the respective police station in Selangau and Stapang be placed under the jurisdiction of Sibu district police headquarters.
“Currently, the police stations in Selangau and Stapang are under the administration of the police department in Mukah and Dalat respectively.
“This creates a huge inconvenience as it is time consuming for the public to have to refer to either Mukah or Dalat for their issues.
“Therefore, I would like to suggest that both police stations be placed under the administrative care of Sibu police headquarters instead,” he said.
Not forgetting the rest of his constituency, Gira went on to request that the state government follow up on previous proposals and ongoing projects of public utility upgrades and extensions within Tamin.
In particular, he pointed out that the 14-km gravel road of Jalan Pasai Siong Hilir was long due an upgrade as it serves 22 longhouses with a population of 1,200, as well as four primary schools, several kindergartens and one clinic.
“It is my aim to see more funds for development get approved in Tamin to narrow the rural and urban development gap.”