Chinese association chief clarifies support for coastal road, urges practical issues be addressed

Dr Ngu Piew Seng

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Dec 23: The Federation of Sri Aman and Betong Divisions Chinese Associations president Datuk Dr Ngu Piew Seng has clarified that he fully supports the Sarawak government’s plan to cut travel time between Sri Aman and Kuching to about one hour with the completion of a new coastal road, but stressed that several practical issues deserve serious consideration as the ambitious project moves forward.

Ngu issued the clarification following remarks he made on Dec 22, 2025, which were published in a local Chinese daily under the headline “Ngu calls for pragmatic planning, urges prioritising the resolution of traffic bottlenecks”.

The remarks were made in response to Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg’s statement on the construction of a new coastal road and the aspiration to significantly shorten travel time from Kuching to Sri Aman in the future.

In that context, Ngu said he had offered supplementary reminders and candidly shared his personal concerns and observations.

“I am not opposing the Premier’s announcement. On the contrary, as someone who has long been concerned with local development and actively involved in social affairs, I fully acknowledge and support Abang Johari’s forward-looking planning and far-sighted vision for Sarawak,” he explained in a statement today.

He added that he also endorses the long-term development direction and future blueprint laid out by the Premier, particularly projects affecting Sri Aman and the wider Sri Aman Division.

“I welcome these initiatives and hope they will be implemented as soon as possible to bring tangible benefits to the people,” he said.

Explaining his earlier remarks, Ngu said they were made in support of the overall development direction while highlighting certain practical issues that, in his view, warrant serious attention.

“This was not intended to negate the broader vision, but to ensure that feasibility and on-the-ground conditions are carefully considered during implementation,” he added.

He pointed out that for any large-scale development project to be comprehensive and sustainable, the voices of grassroots communities must be adequately heard at the planning stage. This, he said, is where civil society groups and Chinese community organisations can and should play a constructive role.

“Having lived in Sri Aman for many years and served the Chinese community over a long period, I have first-hand knowledge of real challenges related to local transportation, livelihoods and regional development. It was for this reason that I chose to speak up, in the hope that macro-level planning would be balanced with local realities,” he said.

Ngu also expressed his willingness to use his platform within Chinese community organisations to engage in more direct, rational and constructive dialogue with relevant Sarawak government agencies.

He said his aim is to channel genuine grassroots views into the system, gain a deeper understanding of project details, and offer supplementary suggestions where appropriate.

“I believe that mutual trust and consensus can only be built through rational communication and democratic discussion, and that poorly managed exchanges conducted at a distance can easily lead to misunderstandings—something I hope to avoid,” he said.

Ngu emphasised that all his views and suggestions stem from his love for his hometown and a sense of responsibility shaped by many years of involvement in social and public affairs. He expressed hope that his views would be seen as well-intentioned reminders and discussed in a rational and open atmosphere.

“For many years, Chinese community organisations, including the Chinese Associations, have played a bridging role between the people and the government by conveying public sentiment in a pragmatic and rational manner. At the same time, the Sarawak government has demonstrated an open-minded attitude in listening to voices from all communities.

“It is precisely this positive interaction and mutual trust that have enabled Sarawak to continue progressing while preserving harmony within its multicultural society,” he concluded. — DayakDaily