Legality of Marina Park project in Miri questioned

Dukau Papau

Sarawak PKR today questioned the legality of the construction of a multi-billion ringgit Marina Park City project in Miri by Samling Group, which is closely linked to those in political power.

It also accused some Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) leaders of being involved in the project, which has become a very ‘hot’ issue in the city.

“Documents made available to our Miri MP Dr Michael Teo Yu Keng indicate that the original planning and engineering approvals will take away the existing approved car parks at Jalan Sri Dagang or the Miri Waterfront Commercial Centre,” state PKR vice-chairperson See Chee How said.

“I must commend the more than 200 shop owners and business proprietors who have signed the petition urging the Miri City Council to reject any plan to remove the car parking spaces for the Marina Park City project.

“Not only are they standing up to safeguard their own rights and interests in this citizens’ action, they are helping to prevent the commission of an illegal act and prevent the breach or abuse of our ordinances and laws,” said See, who is a lawyer and Batu Lintang assemblyperson.

Re-visit engineering plan, CM told

The PKR leader urged Chief Minister Adenan Satem to direct the State Planning Authority to re-visit the engineering plan of the Marina Park City project.

“Adenan (left) must take heed of the protest and petition of the shop owners and business operators at the Miri Waterfront Commercial Centre and order the 80 car parks to be restored.

The SPA must be reminded that the removal of the 80 car park spaces at the Miri Waterfront Commercial Centre not only interferes with the possession and enjoyment of properties there but also cause considerable inconvenience to the owners there.

“I appeal to the Miri City Council to look into this matter seriously as the engineering plan  that involves the removal of the car park spaces and street lightings at the Miri Waterfront Commercial Centre, submitted on Nov 23, 2013, has not been approved yet.