Contractor to redesign KUTS project barriers at Tabuan Stutong Commercial Centre entrance
KUCHING (July 31): A contractor for Sarawak Metro, which is the implementer of the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) project, has agreed to dismantle proposed barriers at an entrance to the Tabuan Stutong Commercial Centre.
Kuching South mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng said the move would accommodate the needs of a business operator.
'The contractor has assured that the proposed barriers, which cause blockage to the main entrance of the retail shop at Tabuan Stutong, will be dismantled and its layout will be redesigned to suit the needs of the business operator,' he said in a statement today following mediation at the site.
A shop owner had complained about barriers put up at the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) construction site on Jalan Wan Alwi.
The affected business operator, who is the tenant occupying a ground floor corner shophouse at Tabuan Stutong, claimed his retail outlet was gravely affected by the approximately four-metre-high barriers.
He expressed fear that the barriers would result in a significant drop in sales during the ART construction period.
Wee said any development project, be it undertaken by the government or private sector, must be carried out in accordance with laws and regulations, minimising inconvenience.
'As the mayor, I have a pivotal role to play in community engagement, especially when it comes to addressing people's interests or predicament vis-a-vis government agencies,' he said.
He slammed certain quarters who took the opportunity to politicise ART or issues arising from the KUTS project to achieve political mileage instead of helping the aggrieved parties resolve matters.
'We need development at one hand but not at the expense of our people, especially at this very challenging time of economic struggle by all sectors including but not limited to retail businesses,' said Wee.
He also thanked Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How, councillor Eric Tay, and other community leaders, who were present to show their support and concern. KUTS lead Tabuan Stutong Commercial Centre Wee Hong Seng
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