KUNAK: Assistant Youth, Sports Development and Creative Economy Minister Datuk Sri Anil Sandhu said the construction of a new community hall here must be expedited given that the site has already been identified and approval for the facility secured.
The Kunak Assemblyman said the site for the community hall is located near the Kunak District Council (MDKNK) office.
He said he had met with the Chief Minister to push for the construction to be fast-tracked, stressing that the hall is vital as a multipurpose activity centre and one-stop hub for community programmes, particularly those organised by the government.
“I have met with the Chief Minister previously regarding expediting the construction of the community hall here, including the Kunak sports complex. As we know, both development plans have already been approved,” he told reporters when met at an Aidilfitri Open House with government departments and the Kunak community, held at the Dewan Arena Belia on Sunday.
On the proposed Kunak sports complex, Anil said he had already met with relevant agencies including the District Office, the Kunak Land and Survey Department and SD Guthrie regarding the identified site.
He added that the value management process for the implementation of the sports complex has been submitted to the Ministry.
The proposed site remains agricultural land under oil palm cultivation managed by SD Guthrie and several processes including the conversion of land status from agricultural to a construction site, still require time depending on how swiftly the administrative procedures are handled.
Anil is optimistic that with the cooperation of all stakeholders, the implementation of the sports complex could be accelerated, noting the facility has long been awaited and is particularly important as an athlete training centre and a recreational platform for the community.
In a separate development, Anil raised concern over the newly completed Kunak branch library building, saying it must be operationalised without further delay as it has been ready for seven months.
He said he would be meeting with Public Works Department (JKR) district engineers soon to seek clarification on the delay in opening the new library, as the project falls under JKR’s supervision.
The grounds surrounding the library building have since been overtaken by overgrown shrubs, which has affected the appearance of the surrounding area.
