By Karen Bong
KUCHING, April 11: As the oldest local council in Sarawak, the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) bears the responsibility of being the “big brother” among the Sarawak’s 27 local authorities and must continue to set the benchmark in service delivery, policy innovation, and progressive urban governance, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.
Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony of the MBKS Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and 30 councillors for the 2025-2028 term at the Council Chamber of MBKS headquarters today, Dr Sim reminded the newly appointed councillors that while they serve at the third tier of government, they are at the front lines of public service and play a crucial role in shaping Sarawak’s future.
“The 32 councillors of MBKS are not just part of the 864 councillors across Sarawak. You are special. MBKS is the big brother. People look up to you. Since 1953, when it was first established as the Kuching Municipal Council, and then becoming a city council in 1988, MBKS has been a pioneer,” he said.
Despite its relatively compact area of 61.53 square kilometres, smaller than councils like Padawan Municipal Council (MPP), which oversees a jurisdiction larger than Singapore, Dr Sim who is also the Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government highlighted that MBKS continues to lead on multiple fronts, including international collaborations with Unesco, Unicef and the World Health Organisation (WHO) on initiatives like net zero, green city, smart city, child-friendly and age-inclusive urban planning.
He noted that local council and councillors often bear the brunt of public expectations, with residents turning to them for all manner of issues, from broken streetlights to damaged roads, even when such matters fall under the jurisdiction of other agencies like Sesco or the Public Works Department (JKR).
“But the good thing is, people recognise the council. You’re visible, you’re accessible, and that makes you important. That also means councillors must be responsive, mature, and always ready to serve,” he stressed.
Beyond municipal services, Dr Sim said councillors also contribute to the formulation of major State policies by drafting rules, terms, conditions, and penalties that govern urban living in Sarawak.
He reminded them that Sarawak today is no longer the same as it was a decade ago, and by 2030, it will be even more transformed as the State advances toward its vision of becoming progressive, prosperous, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable under the leadership of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“Your mindset has to shift. How you do things today will not be how you do things in 2030. We must keep up with the pace of change and be future-ready,” he urged.
He emphasised the need for councillors to adapt to changing times, maintain a strong public presence, engage with the community and be aware of their responsibilities.
Dr Sim concluded by thanking the councillors for their dedication to the people of Kuching and Sarawak as a whole.
“Thank you for contributing to ‘Your City, My City, Our City’. It is because of all of you that Kuching has become what it is today. Let’s continue to work together for the nation-building of Sarawak. MBKS must lead the way—as the big brother should,” he said.
The ceremony witnessed the swearing-in of MBKS Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng and Deputy Mayor Dato Zaiedi Suhaili, along with 30 councillors, including eight new faces namely, Ariff Ikhwani Mul-Ee, John Wong Chiew Shin, Mohamad Akram Mohamed, Mohd Syafiq Mohammad Razali, Russell Geramong Wilson, Shaukat Khan Ishtiaq Hussain Khan, Stefanie Everlyn Inte Bubong and Wendy Earnest Sadan.
Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Tupong assemblyman Dato Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman, and Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) Mayor Hilmi Othman were among those present. — DayakDaily
