KUCHING – Kuching South City Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng carried out a follow-up check at Lorong Sungai Apong. The visit evaluated recent fixes to road and drainage problems flagged during his earlier inspection.
Councillors Cr Albert Tay and Cr Eric Tay joined the tour. Their attention was focused on upgrades designed to boost safety for local residents, especially pupils heading to SJK Sungai Apong and other nearby schools.
The inspection happened after classes ended. Dato Wee chatted with students and parents there. They shared favourable views on the changes, noting better security and easier access. He handed out school supplies to the children as a friendly gesture.
MBKS acted swiftly post the initial review. Workers fitted street lamps along the troubled section. These now light up dim morning paths, offering schoolchildren a secure route on foot.
Drainage woes, which left puddles after rain, got quick attention too. Teams raised the road height and added perforated pipes for better runoff. The surface now stays dry and hazard-free, even in wet weather.
These steps fit into MBKS’s push under the Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI). The programme stresses kid-safe, welcoming spaces. Fixing paths to schools tops the list for safe travel in neighbourhoods.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and implement further improvements where needed,” said Dato Wee. “Our priority is to ensure that our infrastructure serves everyone safely and effectively and that no one is left behind as we build a more inclusive and liveable city.”
Lorong Sungai Apong, a busy residential lane, sees heavy foot and vehicle traffic daily. School runs amplify risks, making upgrades essential. Past complaints highlighted poor lighting and flooding as top dangers.
MBKS, or Majlis Bandaraya Kuching Selatan, manages southern Kuching’s growth. Spanning 165 square kilometres with over 160,000 people, it handles everything from waste to urban planning. Safety drives like this reflect its proactive stance.
The CFCI, backed by Unicef, urges cities worldwide to put children first. Launched globally in 1996, it now covers hundreds of places. Kuching South joined to tackle child rights in development, from play areas to safe streets.
Street lighting cuts accidents by up to 40 per cent at night, per studies. Drainage fixes prevent slips and mosquito breeding, key in tropical Malaysia. Perforated pipes allow water seepage, averting overflows.
Parents welcomed the changes. One noted easier morning walks for kids. Students appreciated the brighter paths and drier roads, easing daily commutes.
Dato Wee Hong Seng, mayor since 2022, focuses on liveability. A local businessman turned leader, he champions community input. Past projects include park revamps and flood barriers.
SJK Sungai Apong serves hundreds of pupils, mostly from nearby homes. Safe routes matter for its young charges, aged 7 to 12. Similar MBKS efforts target other school zones citywide.
Kuching battles seasonal rains, with monsoons flooding low areas. Elevated roads and smart drainage now build resilience. Monitoring ensures fixes last.
This work aligns with Sarawak’s vision for modern, equitable urban spaces. By prioritising kids, MBKS sets an example for inclusive progress.
Ongoing vigilance promises more tweaks. Resident feedback loops keep improvements on track, nurturing a safer Kuching South.
