Wednesday September 27, 2006

Kuching to install more CCTV cameras for safety

KUCHING: More closed-circuit television cameras will be installed in crime-prone areas to make public places safer for the people here.

The placing of cameras is part of a national programme to combat crime and make cities safer.

State Environment and Public Health Minister Datuk Michael Manyin said more cameras would be installed to make the city safer, but did not disclose the number of cameras.

The state Environment and Public Health and the City South Council have also promised to resolve flood woes, improve cleanliness and beautify the city.

“We will try to solve the flooding problem, (and) improve cleaning services and road maintenance,” Manyin said.

“We will maintain Kuching as a healthy city as declared by the World Health Organisation.”

Manyin said the ministry would bid for more federal funding to finance landscape projects.

He said the ministry had resumed taking charge of the City South Council on Sept 7. The council was previously under the Chief Minister’s Department for several years.

The state Cabinet had also decided on Sept 7 to appoint Natural Resources and Environment Board controller Chong Ted Tsiung the new mayor.

Chong was sworn in on Monday as the third city south Datuk Bandar for a two-year term.

Manyin said the ministry had issued directives to all local authorities to improve the cleanliness of all eating outlets – especially in food preparation and the eateries' serving areas – and public toilets under the local authorities' jurisdictions.

“Hopefully in the next six months, we will be able to have clean eating places and public toilets,” he said.

He also urged all city, municipal and district councillors to go for ground visits and to ensure the success of the cleanliness drive.

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