Putatan school needs overpass bridge
PUTATAN: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Yahya Hussin hopes that the Public Works Department (JKR) and Sabah State Railway Department will give their approval for an overpass bridge to be finally built for SJK(C) Hwa Shiong.
Yahya said the primary school students have to face an increasing volume of traffic on the shoulder road and broader highway facing the school building.
"This puts the children in danger not to mention that there are also railroad tracks in front of the school. So if there is a bridge it would be safer.
"Parents sending their children to school would also not need to send their children straight to the school (doorstep) as it (school area) is indeed narrow. Parents could just park their cars over this side (opposite road).
"I hope JKR and the Railway Department will approve the construction here. Regarding the allocation, we can look for it. The government, I think, is quite concerned about the condition of the school, our children at the primary school," he said.
Yahya, who is also Agriculture and Food Industry Minister and Petagas assemblyman, said the matter will be brought forth to the attention of the two departments.
In the past, he reckoned previous applications had been studied but plans to widen the roads in Putatan had been the priority.
"I think there is no problem for them to construct the bridge anymore because last time even if you want to landscape or build the bridge they have plans to expand the road.
"So it will be useless also. It is quite a waste if you build and then a new development causes the bridge to be demolished. I think now it is quite settled already," explained Yahya at the Putatan District Chinese New Year Open House celebration here yesterday.
The Deputy Chief Minister also appealed to the federal Ministry of Tourism and Culture and state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister for funding in order to bring back the Pesta Bertitik (traditional gong musical performance from the Bajau ethnic group) and dragon boat race to Putatan.
Yahya said this would help create attractions and activities for the growing number of tourists, especially from China, in the district.
"In the past we had water sports and also the Bajau Bertitik performance. It has long been stopped because we had the problem of funding. Now I would like to appeal to the tourism ministries to fund these festivities so as to enliven the culture and attract the tourists," he said.