Three Fires in 2 months at Bintawa Hawker Food Centre

I received a call at 1 am. At that hour, there is bound to be bad news. This morning, I called back the number and was told that the Bintawa Hawker Food Centre is on fire again-3^rd time in two months’ time.

As I had appointments in the morning, I went through my lunch break at a fast speed to find time to see what assistance I could rendered.

When I walked towards the stall, I heard a loud voice shouting to another, “Your daughter is here.” I cant help but smile. The Bintawa folks are a loud and jolly lot. They are not only friendly when you get to know them but they can be very helpful too.

Even the owner of the stall where the fire started tried to be smile. I listened to their problems, the back of the shop was set fire at 12.20 am and luckily, a group of people who knew them alerted them before putting out the fire.

A broken down refrigerator was burned, part of the walls and the canvas that hung from the ceiling. If the fire was not seen or put out on time, I dread to think of the consequences.

I look at the owner’s face. She is worried but she tried not to show it. Despite what has happened, she did not want to accuse anyone without evidences although she believed that someone have purposely done it. 3 times at different shops within two months. The message is all too clear to see, someone wanted to burn the place down.

These are simple folks, trying to earn an honest living. It is not an easy job. And if the place were to be burned, what are they going to do.

The place is under the MBKS. I hope the good Mayor will have a sentry send to the place to ensure that the place will not be burned. There is a police station nearby. The police should patrol the area more often.

I told them the lot (by then, a group has gathered) that I will be writing to the Mayor to see that something is done to ease their worries. And I hope the police would be able to catch the culprits if they patrol the place more often. Security is what these people need. Earning a living for them is already hard enough and to have this threat of the place burned down hovering over their heads is certainly not fair.

SUPP is Irrelevant

It did not take the DAP long to prove to the people that SUPP is an irrelevant party which has now shriveled to a wimp within the Barisan Nasional component party.

After over two decades of empty promises, Sg. Apong Baru residents had now seen the beginning of a concrete drain taking over their earth drain which was infested with mosquitoes, clogs and foul smell.

SUPP candidates had for many elections stood near the drains using it as a political means to lure voters. In the beginning, the drain is almost an ‘asset’ to their political campaign. During the last state election, the SUPP candidate, Sim Kheng Hui again stood over the drain. This time, the residents were fed up with their empty promises.

Besides having assistant ministers, DCM and even a Mayor (then Chan Seng Khai), the SUPP had failed the people miserably by not even giving a proper drainage system to the people of Sg. Apong. Baru They are part of the government and they cannot even deliver that for the past 2 decades.

It was not easy for me too. When I was elected in, I spoke on the issue in the Dewan for five times. I collected petition from the residents and forwarded it to the late Mayor Chong Ted Tsuing. I met with the present Mayor James Chan who was very open about the whole thing. I continue to bring up the topic for the sake of the people of Sg. Apong Baru.

Today, their dreams have come true. Why? Because they dare to make a change. They make a change of switching from SUPP to DAP. I always believed that development, including education, is the government’s business. On our part, we provide a check and balance within the framework of the state legal and government system.

Back to the drains, I learned that the drains would be done in phases. At least there is a start. I should credit Mayor James Chan for his receptive towards our views even from the opposition and reasoning for the people.

Again, it proved one thing. Mayor James Chan is non political. For a Mayor to perform his best, he should not be in any political party.

My only wish for the people of Sg. Apong Baru is that the project would be completed soon.

It should not remain an empty promise.