Dato Sri Wong Soon KohSIBU: More funds will be requested from the federal government to install closed circuit TVs (CCTVs) in major towns and cities.
Minister of Environment and Public Health Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh told a press conference this after chairing his first meeting with chairmen and secretaries from 26 councils in Sarawak at Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) Office, Wisma Sanyan here yesterday.
“We will request between RM4 million and RM6 million per town and city for the installation of CCTVs at strategic points.
“Depending on the fund allocation, we hope to have as wide a coverage as possible,” Wong added.
Asked about his recent meeting with Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Ong Ka Chuan, Wong said the discussion was centred around CCTV-related matters.
The ministry concerned would assist them with the installation of CCTVs in major towns and cities, Wong said, adding that he would ask for a fairer allocation of funds.
Wong, who is also Second Finance Minister, hoped that greater emphasis would be given to Sarawak considering the size of the state and its contribution to the formation of the Barisan Nasional government.
He revealed that the federal allocation for local councils in the state was RM23 million in 2007, and he would ask for a greater allocation.
Wong said while they would do their best to get federal funding, they would also try more effective ways to collect revenue.
They were looking at prudent financial control in efforts to generate cost-saving, he said citing the importance of eliminating wastage.
For example, in hawker centres, there should not be wastage of electricity and water.
In addition, he urged council members to be more creative and innovative in looking for ways and means to generate income.
Wong suggested that the council work closely with private entrepreneurs and individuals on park maintenance and so on, reiterating that he would try to get as much funding as possible from the federal government.
On his meeting with the chairmen and secretaries from the 26 councils, he said they had discussed the common issues faced.
“My ministry will take note of the issues highlighted and hope to assist in finding a solution to some of these problems, if not immediately, then in time to come,” he said.
It was important to make councils effective service agencies, taking into consideration the people’s interest, he added.
“The local government is very close to the people. Directly and indirectly this affects people. In that sense, we hope to carry out good work and provide better service for the benefit of the people. Whatever we do will affect people,” he said.
Wong said they were coming up with new rules and regulations, more guidelines on how to monitor and manage council activities and that this was an ongoing exercise.
He announced that the tree-planting programme had been entrusted to the local authorities looking after landscape beautification and greening of the environment in the state.
The statewide launch would be held in Kuching on Aug 23 in conjunction with the 45th anniversary of Sarawak’s independence within Malaysia.
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