• Tiong being greeted by members of BCCCI with its president Ting standing at the back (right).

He called on Democratic Action Party (DAP) to do its homework and study the matter thoroughly before making any wild allegations such as the claim that the project would become a health risk for the people because of pollution.

He said the DAP had alleged that the ASP project would cause environmental pollution harmful to the health of the public in Bintulu.

Tiong clarified that ASP being operated by an Australian company would import the semi-processed products from aboard before adding the final touches at ASP for export to other Asian countries.

“A briefing session had been held for the leaders in the state while the next  dialogue session will also be held especially for residents in Bnitulu pending the completion of EIA Report,” said Tiong.

He was speaking at the gathering organised by Bintulu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCCI) held at the latter’s premises on Monday evening.

Tiong said the plant would not pose any environmental hazard as the effluents would be properly processed and treated before being discharged from the plant.

Tiong also refuted the allegation made by DAP that he had bought all the land in prime locations in Bintulu.

He said the opposition should have behaved in a more responsible manner and not make false accusations with the aim to destroy his reputation.

Meanwhile, Tiong said a comprehensive upgrading and improvement project for the drainage system to mitigate flooding in Bintulu had been provided under the 9th Malaysia Plan and some RM300 million had been set aside in the 2008 Budget.

He also highlighted the Security Blue Print for Bintulu which the Bintulu Police Chief would implement in due course to improve public security. 

It would include the setting up of police pondoks, usage of 4x4 vehicles to patrol along Pan-Borneo Highway to ensure security for motorists, he added.

At the same time, he also appealed to operators of palm oil plantation estates, transport companies, restaurants, coffee shops and factories not to recruit illegal immigrants to work for them. 

He said as far as he knew, there were some 50,000 illegals working in Bintulu and he feared their presence would give rise to social problems. 

He disclosed that many such workers had been caught by enforcement agents and sent back to their own country but the problem would not go away if there were employers ready to employ them.

Meanwhile, he sought help from BCCCI to tell its members not to employ illegal immigrants to work for them citing safety and security problems as the main risk for the local population.

He said even the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Bedawi had expressed deep concern about the presence of illegals which could affect security in the country.

In conclusion, Tiong said the people in Bintulu could judge for themselves how much the BN government had done to develop Bintulu into a prosperous region. And there would be more beneficial projects coming their way soon, he added.  

Earlier on, President of BCCCI, William Ting Choon Hua praised Tiong as a capable leader and one who never failed to keep his promises to the people.

He also acknowledged that Tiong had done a lot for the Chinese community in Bintulu especially for Chinese education.

He said Tiong had also played an instrumental role to resolve the problem of flight connectivity and lack of scheduled flights faced by local businesses during the restructuring exercise undertaken by MAS.

Ting described Tiong as a man who is friendly, firm and faithful and who deserves the support of everyone.

He urged all members of BCCCI to cast their ballot papers in favour of Tiong on March 8 polling day.