Kota Sentosa rep proposes naming road Jalan Hakka to honour community, boost Kuching cultural tourism
by Desiree David · Borneo Post OnlineKUCHING (Nov 26): Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap has proposed naming a road near Hakka Avenue as Jalan Hakka to honour the community’s longstanding contributions to Sarawak and to strengthen Kuching’s cultural tourism landscape.
Speaking during the State Budget 2026 debate at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN), he said the proposal aligns with allocations for urban development, municipal enhancement, and community inclusivity.
“Naming or developing a road carries real, manageable costs that fall under the Urban Development, Public Works, and municipal or local authorities’ budgets.
“A small and strategic allocation can accommodate this project without straining the development budget, while delivering long-term public benefit,” he said.
He added that the initiative would provide recognition for the Hakka community, which has contributed to agriculture, trade, education, professional services, and civic leadership in Sarawak.
“Naming a road Jalan Hakka provides fair, balanced recognition, similar to roads named after other Chinese dialect groups and communities in Kuching.
“It promotes social inclusivity, demonstrating that every community — large or small — has a respected place in Sarawak’s multicultural identity,” he said.
Yap also highlighted the potential for Jalan Hakka to become part of Kuching’s multicultural heritage tourism offerings, boosting visibility for domestic and international visitors interested in exploring the city’s diverse communities.
Beyond the road proposal, he called for urgent improvements in drainage, road resurfacing, street lighting, flood mitigation, waste management, safer neighbourhoods, support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and hawkers, and stronger digital connectivity in Kota Sentosa.
Yap further called out Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak, saying that every rainy season the party releases dramatic videos and emotional statements as if flooding has been discovered for the first time.
“Many drainage and road issues in Kota Sentosa existed long before GPS took over the constituency.
“They are structural problems born from years of neglect when the opposition was busy campaigning instead of planning,” he said.
He also criticised opposition leaders sitting in the federal government for blaming the state for cost of living pressures.
“If DAP controls key federal ministries, then step up and use your federal power. Fight for Sarawak by enhancing federal allocations to Sarawak.
“Do not pretend to be opposition heroes when you are federal policy makers. The people of Kota Sentosa can see this contradiction clearly. They want sincerity, not political acrobatics,” he said.
Yap commended the state government’s Budget 2026 for being responsible and focused on real development, highlighting initiatives such as the RM640 million allocation under the Sarawak Basic Needs Assistance (SKAS) programme to help lower-income households.
“The people of Kota Sentosa want solutions, not slogans. They want consistency, not contradictions. They want leadership, not rhetorics,” he said.