Lee should issue statement on Old Lutong Airstrip — MP
MIRI: Miri member of Parliament Dr. Teo Yu Keng called on Assistant Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin to issue a statement regarding the Old Lutong Airstrip which was the venue for extreme sports involving drag motorcycles and cars and remotecontrolled flying activities since 2000.
He said, this venue (Lutong Old Airstrip) has been the venue for extreme sports and even involved in official events from the Youth and Sports Ministry where he (Lee) himself had officiated many times at the competitions held there since 2000.
“Now you keep quiet when the people lodged a police report as to why the area was given to a company last year, “Dr. Teo said yesterday voicing his concern that now youths in Miri do not have any other venue for the extreme sports activities.
Dr. Teo said he is sad to see that the Old Lutong Airstrip is now being fenced up and some ground works are carried out by the company
He said, as an assistant minister for tourism, Lee should not keep quiet on the issue as to how the parcel of land was awarded to a company.
He claimed that Lee on several occasions when officiating at events at the Old Lutong Airstrip promised to bring up the venue to the Land and Survey Department for it to be gazetted for extreme sports venue as the airstrip is suitable for bike and car drag competitions.
Dr. Teo added he had received report from youth sport clubs which were involved in motorcycles, cars and remote control activities that they were not happy that the Old Lutong Airstrip , a state land, was given to a company to be developed.
“As a minister, you should explain to the people here especially the youths how the land is owned by a company considering that all these years, the place was used as venue for motorcycles and car drag competitions, “Dr. Teo stressed.
Dr. Teo promised to bring up the issue to Parliament including the Tanjong Lubang beach which has now also been given to a company.
The MP said, public park and facilities should not be given to any companies or developers as this venue is meant for public use.
Dr.Teo added that he hoped these venues ( park, beaches and facilities) will be used for the benefit of the people.