by Norni Mahadi, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on July 9, 2011, Saturday
(Borneo Post_9 July 2011) MIRI: It is timely for housing developers in the city to integrate their housing development plan with a complete set of public utilities such as electricity supply, water supply and natural gas supply.
Assistant Minister of Communications Datuk Lee Kim Shin made this suggestion in a press conference after chairing the Infrastructure Development meeting for Senadin constituency at Miri City Council (MCC) yesterday.
Lee strongly felt such new housing concept would be convenient and attractive to house owners.
“It is truly troublesome for house buyers to travel to different places in order to get their houses connected with electricity, water and natural gas supply.
“It would be nice if developers can introduce a new approach that assures all the utilities are there when new houses are ready for occupation,” he said.
In sharing Lee’s suggestion, Miri mayor Lawrence Lai said the council would consider Lee’s suggestion seriously.
“It is about time for developers to come out with such a friendly approach. Such a practice would not only save cost and time, it would also save the council from facing constant public complaints about roads being dug up due to installation works by the utility providers,” he added.
Lai said the council would discuss further with housing developers and public utility providers in the city on how they could work together under a smart partnership.
In addition, Lee said he had suggested to the Desa Senadin and PermyJaya Residents Committee to have regular meetings or dialogue sessions with their respective housing developers.
“By having a dialogue session or meeting with them, it would allow the people to highlight their problems and also demand for more recreational centres, children playgrounds and other public amenities,” he remarked.
Thus far, he is happy to note there is improvement in rubbish collection and illegal dumping has been reduced in the area.
On the problem of house break-ins, he said he had asked the police to perhaps consider setting up police ‘pondok’ at Desa Senadin and PermyJaya Newtownship in order to make its presence felt, beefing up security in the area.
