Groups take dim view of RM60m lighting bill

The Star 04/02/2002

PETALING JAYA: The decision by the Government to allocate RM2mil to each of the 30 municipal councils for decorative items and lighting to attract tourists during the festive seasons is deemed “excessive” by various organisations. 

House Buyers Association chairman Datuk Zainuddin Bachik said the funds should be used for more worthwhile projects. 

“It is important to beautify a place but to spend so much money on lightings alone is not right. 

“To attract more tourists, the emphasis should be on pedestrian walkways
and clean toilets,” he said. 

Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting had said the money was in addition to the ministry’s disbursement of RM30,000 to each of 30 municipal councils and RM20,000 to each of 66 district councils for expenditure on decorative street lights. 

Environment Protection Society Malaysia adviser Gurmit Singh said the
move was a waste of taxpayers’ money. 

“They could spend the money in providing cleaner toilets rather than waste it on lighting . It would make things worse when you light up an atrocious-looking building,” he said. 

DAP secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock said the money should be spent to benefit the people directly. 

“We don’t have to compete with big cities like Singapore or Hong Kong.
We can find our own niche and our own style of promoting the country. The tourists will come when the country is attractive, safe and clean,” he said. 

Deputy Housing Minister Datuk Peter Chin, however, defended the government decision saying lighting had been overlooked for a long time. 

“Most major cities in the world look wonderful at night. This is why the Cabinet felt it is a good idea to create a carnival atmosphere to attract tourists. When they (tourists) have a good impression of the country, they will return. 

“This is a one-off grant. It is not a yearly allocation. The various municipal councils can use it without straining their budgets,” he said.