Details from police on training of traffic wardens pending
We have already liaised with police on the matter. Now we are waiting for them (police) to come back to us on the modules, as well as on the time and date to send our officers for training. We are expecting another 16 enforcement officers from the state Human Resources Department to boost our present skeletal staff of 14 in our enforcement division.
KUCHING: The Padawan Municipal Council ( MPP) is awaiting response from police with regard to the training of eight enforcement officers from the council as traffic wardens.
Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang, who is also MPP chairman, said while the council is looking forward to being made more aware of the training modules and period, it is also expecting 16 ‘extra hands’ from the state Human Resources Department.
“We have already liaised with police on the matter. Now we are waiting for them ( police) to come back to us on the modules, as well as on the time and date to send our officers for training.
“We are expecting another 16 enforcement officers from the state Human Resources Department to boost our present skeletal staff of 14 in our enforcement division,” he said yesterday when asked to respond to a statement made by Local Government Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian recently.
Dr Sim, at a news conference on Thursday, said the Transport
Lo Khere Chiang, MPP chairman
Ministry had authorised the training of eight MPP enforcement officers, but he had no further information about the training.
Lo said MPP would not have obtained the permission from the Transport Ministry had it not been for Dr Sim, who initiated the effort.
According to Lo, traffic wardens are useful in the event when the automated systems cannot cope with heavy traffic – the wardens are able to use common sense in easing congestions.
He also reminded all that the eight MPP enforcement officers who after undergoing training, would fill in for the traffic police – not taking over their duties.
“We must not forget that the council has other enforcement duties as well,” he said, stressing that the eight enforcement officers would serve as traffic wardens as and when necessary.
Presently, MPP has 14 enforcement officers – this number includes the eight who will undergo training.
On the additional 16 enforcement officers from the state Human Resources Department, Lo hoped that MPP could have them on board in a few months’ time.
Asked to list the congested areas in MPP, he said: “Most probably within the Mile 7 Bazaar, Mile 10 traffic light intersection and MJC Batu Kawah ( Batu Kawah New Township).”
Mile 6 is quite congested ‘due to the bottleneck’, but the situation would improve after widening the road. He said the eight MPP enforcement officers would be expected to direct traffic during peak hours, the presence of his men would be noted in the morning.
“The morning ( period) is critical because we have to be on time for school and for work; there is less rush to get home in the evening.”