24 complaints received, seven contractors terminated for shoddy job

KROKOP, 3 Aug – The Miri City Council (MCC) received a total of 24 various complaints from members of the public during a ‘meet the public’ gathering which was held this morning.

“We received a total 24 complaints this morning. The Public Cleanliness and Maintenance Section received ten complaints, the Engineering Section nine complaints, the Public Health Section three complaints and the Landscaping Section two complaints,” said Miri Mayor, Lawrence Lai.

Lai said that most of the complaints that they received was with regards to illegal garbage disposal, drainage and illegal planting by the roadside.

“There is also complaint received about a neighbour who was rearing poultry in a residential area.

“We will investigate the matter because this is a health issue,” he said adding that those living in residential areas are prohibited from rearing poultry within their house compound. Poultry rearing is only allowed on agricultural lands.

Meanwhile, Lai disclosed that the council has terminated seven contractors this year for non-compliance, shoddy workmanship, incomplete projects and other reasons.

“The contractors are being paid using the taxpayers’ money so they must ensure their services to the people are up to the required standard.

“If they do not perform as expected or do not fulfill their contract, they will be terminated,” he explained after the session at Krokop 10 Market.

He added that council needs to impose stricter rules as some contractors are not performing well and the public are blaming the council for the bad service instead of the contractors.