ADUN for Padungan YB Wong King Wei today demanded an explanation from the relevant authorities regarding the cease of work in the construction of the covered walkway on India Street for more than two weeks, and demanded to know the completion date of the construction work.

According to YB Wong King Wei, the DBKU has—repeatedly—postponed the completion of the covered pedestrian walkway. The work was supposed to be completed before Hari Raya last year. It was then delayed to this year’s Chinese New Year. According to Wong, “Now, the construction work has stopped altogether. This is posing problems to businesses.”

According to Wong, businesses have been badly affected since the construction took place. Many business owners have complained that they are making loses. “This is especially true of retail businesses. The usual crowd has shrunk significantly during the construction period, and this has hit retailers badly.”

YB Wong King Wei expressed his concern during a recent visit to the construction site to understand the progress of the covered walkway project on India Street.

In addition, the incomplete construction is posing a safety hazard. Many drainage holes are left uncovered—there have been multiple instances of pedestrians sustaining injuries as a result of a fall.

“The Sarawak State Government owes an explanation to the people. Why has the construction being halted for the past two weeks without reason? Why is the project left abandoned?”

The construction work of a covered walkway on India Street commenced in August 2014. Then, the DBKU indicated that the project would take eight months to complete, and that the projected completed date would be March-April 2015. It now appears that the project is suffering from significant delays.