Revert UTC closing to 10pm: MP
Published on: Saturday, January 19, 2019
Kota Kinabalu: Member of Parliament, Chan Foong Hin suggested that the Federal Government restore the closing hour for Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) here to 10pm, like other UTCs in the country.
He said the Finance Ministry had on Jan 12 issued a media statement announcing the change in the operating hours of several UTCs in the country, namely Shah Alam, Keramat, Seremban, Alor Setar, Johor Bahru, Kota Bharu and Kuala Terengganu, which will be operating from 1pm to 10pm on weekdays, and 8am-5pm on weekends.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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This is good news for all Malaysians, said Chan who is hopeful that the same directive can be extended to UTC Kota Kinabalu for the benefit of the people here.
“The previous closing hour was at 10pm before it was changed to 5pm starting from January 1 this year,” he said, adding that he understand that the Federal Government had revised the closing hour from 10pm to 5pm as a cost-saving measure for the government.
“Nevertheless, the Federal Government has recognised the reason for the existence of UTC, and that is to facilitate and make it more convenient for the rakyat to deal with government departments.
“UTC has been described as a boon to the public as various government departments like the Road Transport Department, National Registration Department and Immigration Department can all be found under one roof and that the public need not travel to different places to conduct official businesses with different government departments,” he said.
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Chan, who is also Sabah DAP Secretary, said the UTC Kota Kinabalu, being the only one in the State Capital, ought to be given the same treatment as the other seven UTCs in the Peninsula that will be operating up until after office hours.
He believe the people will benefit more if UTC Kota Kinabalu has its operating hours similarly extended till night time.
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“Kota Kinabalu is a rapidly developing city and there are many people that are from the working class. For those who are working and don’t have time to go the centre during working hours, they can still go after work if it were to operate until night time.”
“From the feedback that I had gathered from many of my constituents, many would prefer it if the UTC Kota Kinabalu operating hours be extended till night time, like previously...so I urge the Federal Government will seriously consider readjusting the same,” said Chan.
Chan is confident that the Pakatan Harapan (PH) Federal Government will understand the needs of the people, and that although it wishes to save money for the people there still has to be a balance with the needs of the people.
Photo Source: roketkini.com
