Canada Hill to be retained as ‘green lung’ for Miri city – CM

MIRI: It is important for Miri to retain Canada Hill and its surrounding areas as a ‘green lung’ for the city, says Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.

“My view is we have to retain this part as green lung but because of the geological structure (of Canada Hill), we have to get the recommendation from ( Department of Minerals and) Geoscience and Public Works Department (JKR) for the detail,” he said after attending a briefing yesterday on the landslide situation at Kampung Lereng Bukit and presentation of financial assistance to the landslide victims.

The financial assistance from Pertubuhan Kebajikan Petra Jaya and Association of Wives of Ministers and Assistant Ministers of Sarawak ( Sabati) to seven families affected by the landslide was presented by Abang Johari’s wife, Datin Patinggi Dato Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang at the Kampung Lereng Bukit multipurpose hall.

“We are looking into the cause of the erosion and I managed to get the geological structure of the hill of which I want to know more details. There are a lot of activities around here. The houses are okay but the problem is there are people taking the earth at the other side of the hill,” said Abang Johari.

On the fate of the Petroleum Museum and Borneo Evangelical Mission ( BEM) church atop of Canada Hill, Abang Johari said as both are located in the erosion belt, they would be included in the master plan.

Also present were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin, Piasau assemblyman Dato Sebastian Ting, Miri Mayor Adam Yii and Miri Resident Sherrina Hussaini.