KAMPONG KEMBANGAN (Metalling of Kampong Roads)

Encik Mansor Haji Sukaimi asked the Minister for National Development and Communications when the earth roads at Jalan Masjid, Lengkong Tiga, Pachitan Tiga, Pachitan Empat, Pachitan Lima, Pachitan Sepuloh and Jalan Wijaya will be metalled.

Dr Tan Eng Liang (for the Minister for National Development and Communications): Mr Speaker, Sir, metalling of kampong roads is normally carried out on the recommendations of the Citizens' Consultative Committees. Work will commence as soon as the Urban and Rural Services Committee has approved the project and the landowner's permission is obtained. In the case of Lengkong Tiga, a proposal to metal the road was received in 1975. However, the project is delayed because the landowner's permission has not been obtained.

As for the other kampong roads, so far no official request has been received from the Kampong Kembangan Citizens' Consultative Committee. If the Member of Parliament will put up proposals for metalling of these roads, the Urban and Rural Services Committee will consider the request.

Encik Mansor Haji Sukaimi (Kampong Kembangan): Mr Speaker, Sir, these roads mentioned in the Question are earth roads which have been pot-holed very badly, and with earth drains always clogged up. If, as in the case of Lengkong Tiga, we have to wait for the landowner's permission, then I think it is going to be very difficult to get the work done. Is the Senior Minister of State considering any other way to facilitate the metalling of such roads, either by getting the approval of the landowners more expeditiously or to carry out the project without their permission?

Dr Tan Eng Liang: Sir, I share the sentiments of the hon. Member for Kampong Kembangan. But there is such a thing as procedures and requirements. If he owns a private property, I assume that he would not want us to move in without his permission.

The Member should differentiate between the temporary repairing of pot-holed roads and clogged drains and his request for a proper metalling of the whole road. In the case of repairs to roads, like the filling up of pot-holes, the procedure is to request the URSC to carry out the repairs on an urgent basis. In fact, the Chairman of the URSC has the authority to give the necessary approval without going to the full Committee.

As to the Member's suggestion on expediting the process, I have indicated during the debate on the President's speech that for major road metalling projects, the URSC will consider getting bigger allocations from the Budget Division provided such indications are given, say, a year ahead of time.

As to his suggestion to go ahead and carry out the project without the landowner's permission, it is most undemocratic to do so.