Saturday 14 January 2012

'BRINGING SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE' VERY NOSTALGIC!



By : DATUK V.K.LIEW

HAPPY Chinese New Year Greetings to everyone. It is an honour for me with to be here today with everyone again. We have met here for the 3rd time since I became the MP of Sandakan in 2008. With your blessings, I have been trying as much as I can to meet up with every one of you in this beloved constituency.

I have since started the programme of Bringing Services to the People whereby the idea is for me and the MP office to go to every Taman or residential area on a monthly basis. In this programme, we aim together to bring along the health services like blood and sugar level check-up, voter and registration of identification card, etc.

All these services is free of charge and we hope the rakyat will take full benefits of the programme. While my MP office at Mile 1.5 is in full operation on daily basis, I understand that many of you find it inconvenience to come to MP office, to drive or been driven, to walk up the stair case, etc.

Throughout the years, I also understand many of you find it troublesome to have to go to Government agencies in order to settle your daily problems and documentation. At times, due to lack of ability to speak in our national language, or sometimes, there are officers in Government Department who don't understand us and our needs.

Sometimes problems or issues are left hanging without any proper solution. In BSTTP, I have met so many of our own people having their problems remained unsolved for so many years simply because they fail to understand what needed to be done, or simply because some of the officers didn't explain what needed to be done. For example, a Sandakan folk got his nationality registration rejected in 1963.

When I go through the letters in English, it was mentioned that the applicant need to reapply but he thought it differently and didn't apply again. Thus, I went to the National Registration Department and in one month, the problem was resolved. A matter that gave him lots of hassle for the past 50 years or so was solved within a month. The delay, to me, was the language problem.

Therefore, with the BSTTP, I am trying to cut-off the red tape and helping to reduce the bureaucracy in the Government.

It is my hope that when I come to your residential area again in this coming month of February, I humbly request all of you to take the chance to come out and let me your problems faced especially with the Government.

Even if you have no problem, please join us in our morning exercises like Tai Chi or Chee Kung or dancing where do it at times. As you all know, it is important to be healthy. Besides that, we can also socialise, get to know each other, meet friends and neighbours and discuss about our problems in general.

Since I became your MP in 2008, I have tried as much as possible to be here with you despite the many responsibilities towards the country as a Deputy Minister, President of a Political Party, etc.

However, I have to say here that I enjoy every moments of my time here, to be able to be with you all. There are still so many things that need to be done here in Sandakan. We have to understand that some issues are matters that require the State Government attention while there are some under the purview of the Federal Government. All issues brought, need to be settle accordingly.

Apart from attaining to the basic needs of the people, we need to work together to do the following:

(i) To ensure MPS be more efficient - I know some businessman have to wait a long time to get business licences to open a shop or business. I have contacted the MPS on this and they must buck up on this. Also MPS have been reminded to improve their services. Sometimes, problems are highlighted by the media through complaints by the residents, associations, oppositions, etc.

(ii) In these past few years, many parts of Sandakan are flooded because of poor maintenance of infrastructure including roads and drains. Although some drainage is cleared before the rain this year, yet many parts still suffer flash floods and landslides. Some of the remedial works have to be carried out by the State Government and I know for records that our two State ADUNs in Sandakan have also been working hard to reduce our flood problems.

(iii) I also know that both the electricity and water supply in Sandakan need to be improved. I appreciate your understanding that these are problems that need long term solutions and strategy from both State Government and the Federal. Throughout the greater part of Sandakan, the quality of tap water is much to be desired due to old pipes and seepage caused by illegal siphoning. As an MP, I will try my level best to find a solution to replace the old piping and to stop the illegal stealing of our water, as well as electricity problems.

(iv) On the other hand, we also need to improve our transportation infrastructure. Apart from better roads networks linking us to the other nearby towns, we need a new integrated bus terminal to cope with the demands and loads of the public. We also need to ease the traffic congestion problems in the town centre. For your information, the bus terminal issue has been earmarked and I pray that works will start soon.

(v) Apart from land issues, we also need to address the Sandakan Airport matter that I have raised out for so many times. As I said, upgrading the Sandakan Airport must be done in order to achieve high-income economy especially through tourism and education. We need to boost our tourist’s arrivals in Sandakan for the benefit of our local economy. An International Airport in Sandakan will spur tourism and promote Sandakan as one of the region's top destination for eco-tourism. By 2020, we target to receive RM161 billion through our tourism industry by promoting variety of tourism products such as nature, wildlife and local nature-products.

(vi) An international airport in Sandakan will also compliment the Sandakan educational Hub as well as the Sandakan regional trade centre. For your information, University of Agriculture in Sandakan has begun to operate and student’s intake has also been done. With an estimated of 2000 students, I hope this will help to spur the local economy. If a student spends RM100 a day in Sandakan, there will be RM200,000 a day more in the local economy. I hope the other higher learning colleges like TAR and Lim Kok Wing will be able to come to the Sandakan Education Hub to open up their branches. This will also mean that our children who are qualified to further their studies will not need to leave their home in order to receive better education.

The other pressing issue is providing job opportunities to our young generation in Sandakan. I know many have gone to out of Sandakan such as to KK, KL, Singapore or other places to work and better job opportunities.

This has left Sandakan facing the migration of youths for job as well as education. We need to address this very seriously. Efforts have to be made to create more jobs for our youth and to retain them in the beloved city of nature.

Thank you!

(NOTE : Datuk Liew Vui Keong, is The Deputy Minister In The Prime Minister’s Department Cum Member Of Parliament Of Sandakan)

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