September 05, 2009 18:00 PM

Work On Labuan Prison Complex To Continue - Nong Chik

LABUAN, Sept 5 (Bernama) -- Work on the RM79 million prison complex project in Labuan which was temporarily halted after strong protest from the locals, will continue as planned said Federal Territories Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Zainal Abidin.

"A prison is needed here. The prison complex will be fully guarded and it will not affect the people living in the surrounding areas. We are aware of the dissatisfaction and disagreement of people on the project," he told Bernama after handing out contributions to 200 needy people in conjunction with month of Ramadan.

It is learnt that the decision continue the project, was made at a meeting with various heads of government and Labuan Corporation, last month.

The project was one of four prison projects under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, with three others to take shape in Seberang Perai (Penang), Perlis and Sungai Udang in Melaka.

The project which will be carried out in two phases in Bukit Timbalai off Kg Buton, was temporarily shelved last July, after various communities in Labuan including the chambers of commerce, community leaders and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) made a strong protest to Prison Department Director Datuk Jamil Salleh.

Jamil had said that phase 1 of the project, costing RM35 million will consist of staff quarters, recreation park, mosque, community hall and other facilities.

-- BERNAMA

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