Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap has proposed naming a road near Hakka Avenue as Jalan Hakka to recognise the Hakka community’s longstanding contributions to Sarawak and to enhance Kuching’s cultural tourism offerings.
During the State Budget 2026 debate at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN), Yap said the proposal aligns with government allocations for urban development, municipal upgrades and community inclusivity.
He emphasised that naming or developing a road involves manageable costs that can be accommodated under existing budgets of Urban Development, Public Works and local authorities without straining overall development funding.
He noted that the Hakka community has played a significant role in agriculture, trade, education, professional services and civic leadership in Sarawak.
“Designating a road as Jalan Hakka provides fair, balanced recognition, similar to other roads named after Chinese dialect groups in Kuching. It promotes social inclusivity and highlights the value of every community in Sarawak’s multicultural identity,” he said.
Yap added that the proposed road could become part of Kuching’s multicultural heritage tourism attractions, offering visibility to both domestic and international visitors.
In addition to the naming proposal, Yap called for improvements in drainage, road resurfacing, street lighting, flood mitigation, waste management, support for SMEs and hawkers, safer neighbourhoods and stronger digital connectivity in Kota Sentosa.
He criticised Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak for dramatizing flood issues during the rainy season, stating that the problems predate Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) administration.
“Many drainage and road concerns are structural issues stemming from years of neglect when the opposition focused on campaigning rather than planning,” he said.
He also called out opposition leaders holding federal positions for blaming the state over cost of living challenges.
“If DAP leads key federal ministries, they should utilise their power to push for higher federal allocations to Sarawak instead of presenting themselves as opposition figures,” he added.
Yap praised the Budget 2026 for being responsible and development-focused, highlighting the RM640 million allocation under the Sarawak Basic Needs Assistance (SKAS) programme to support lower-income households.
“The people of Kota Sentosa want solutions, not slogans. They want consistency, not contradictions. They want leadership, not rhetorics,” he said.
