Sungai Apong must be brought back into mainstream devt after two decades of neglect, says MBKS mayor

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By Amanda L

KUCHING, Jan 26: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng has called for Sungai Apong to be brought back into the mainstream of development after nearly two decades of being left behind due to structural and political constraints.

He said the community had long faced challenges in securing development resources, resulting in delays to infrastructure improvements and environmental upgrades that residents rightfully deserved.

Speaking at the Jiuhuang Temple celebration and Lunar New Year dinner here on Sunday (Jan 25), Wee stressed that the stagnation experienced by Sungai Apong was not the fault of its residents, nor should they bear the consequences of circumstances beyond their control.

“Community development should not be stalled because of political reasons.

“Basic infrastructure, safety and a liveable environment are rights that should not be delayed,” he said.

According to Wee, Sungai Apong had gradually been pushed out of the mainstream development agenda over the past 20 years, despite facing pressing issues linked to high-density living, fire safety and public risk management.

He emphasised that while land matters may be complex, public safety and residents’ well-being must remain non-negotiable.

Wee said it was time for the situation to change, adding that development opportunities lost over the years were not beyond discussion or negotiation, provided there was unity and a clear commitment to fight for the community’s interests.

He also emphasised the need for Sungai Apong to work cohesively within the existing State policy framework to secure more stable and long-term support, noting that fragmentation and division would only further delay progress.

Earlier in his speech, Wee highlighted that true city development should not be measured solely by physical structures or economic figures, but by how well the most vulnerable groups are cared for.

He added that religious institutions such as the Jiuhuang Temple play an important role in fostering community stability, unity and compassion, complementing the broader development of Kuching as a multicultural and harmonious city. — DayakDaily

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