3. THE PLAZA MERDEKA PROJECT: DISMAY, TRAFFIC CHAOS IN THE CITY CENTRE.

3- THE PLAZA MERDEKA PROJECT : DISMAY, TRAFFIC CHAOS IN THE CITY CENTRE

It is of great regret that the ongoing Plaza Merdeka Project has resulted in chaos and traffic jams around and beyond the project vicinity, as well as a marked downturn of business experienced by small businesses in the area. By the area I mean India Street, Gambier Rd, Court House Rd and Electra House and all the streets in between, and even to some extent, Carpenter Street and Main Bazaar.

Shop rentals are relatively high in the area affected; it is unjust to subject businessmen in the area to hugh and crippling financial pressure for some 3 years to come.

The closure of Barrack and the Courthouse Roads and some absurd lane and traffic direction in the Khoo Hung Yeang St. / Electra House area has added to the confusion. Key outgoing routes are inexplicably closed, adding to the massive jam and mess. Even the far away Reservior Rd from the Tabuan Rd junction has been reversed in direction! Drivers and shopkeepers in the area are daily cursing the traffic and the project. The authorities have given the project developers too much latitude at the expense of the public and small business. It is as if all of the shopkeepers and people living in the area can go to hell for all the authorities care, but this project must be allowed to go ahead.

Before this project was given the go ahead, there was another project which had been approved, and was nearly completed. However due to some alleged encroachment of a feet or so into the foot path by the building, the project had been shelved by the powers that be. However this time this current project encroaches so far into the road as to shut up the entire road and yet it is allowed to proceed! The double standard is appalling. How can the relevant authorities approve such a closure of a public road which has inconvenienced and affected the livelihood of thousands, for the sake of a private project?

Is there a Black Hand behind all of these inexplicable developments and redirections? Is there a plot to make the area less attractive and cause the shopkeepers affected to give up and be forced to go away in frustration, like what has happened to the nearby Kuching Plaza? Already I hear of rumours that the Open Air Market will be or has been taken away too and its only a matter of time that even that landmark will be history, literarily? Allow me therefore to ask and request the Minister concerned to ensure and reassure us that all these rumours are baseless and that there is no design to frustrate and “chase” and otherwise remove the shopkeepers and small traders away from the area, which is the oldest and most valuable part of Kuching City?

On behalf of the people of Padungan, I wish to call for

1. An immediate re-opening of the Courthouse and Barrack Roads;

2. A comprehensive Review of the project scope and design

3. an immediate restoration of the original traffic lanes and directions;

4. A continuation of the dialogue between local small business, the authorities and project developers;

5. Just compensation to small business affected to cover loss of earnings.