By Dayangku Hidayatul
KUCHING, Aug 1: From keeping streets clean to shaping economic opportunities and building resilient communities, Kuching’s city councils are taking on a bigger role in transforming the city, with Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg praising their efforts beyond traditional municipal duties.
He said the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) and Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) have embraced the evolving role of local authorities by becoming planners, innovators, and community builders.
“Today, the role of a city council has evolved significantly. In the past, people often associated local authorities only with maintaining roads, clearing drains, collecting rubbish, cutting grass, and issuing licences.
“While these responsibilities remain important, they are no longer sufficient. Today’s city councils must become planners, innovators, facilitators, and community builders,” he said in his speech read by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian at the 38th Kuching Commemoration Day celebration held at MBKS Theatre today.
Abang Johari said city councils must also help create economic opportunities, improve public health, strengthen social inclusion, embrace technology, enhance environmental sustainability, and build resilient communities.
He added that the expanded role of city councils is aligned with the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), Sarawak’s roadmap towards becoming a high-income, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable region.
This is because local authorities play a crucial role in achieving these aspirations, as they are the level of government closest to the people, and every decision directly affects communities, he said.
He also praised MBKS and DBKU for supporting Sarawak’s aspiration to become a low-carbon economy through initiatives such as tree-planting programmes, green public spaces, recycling efforts, renewable energy adoption, sustainable urban planning, and environmental education.
These efforts, he said, not only protect the environment but also improve air quality, reduce urban heat, create healthier neighbourhoods, and ensure future generations inherit a better city.
On the Smart City agenda, Abang Johari said digital technologies are helping to improve municipal services, making them more efficient, transparent and accessible to residents.
Abang Johari also noted that the Sustainable Development Goals have become an integral part of urban governance in Kuching.
He said efforts by both councils to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities, create inclusive public spaces, promote healthy lifestyles, strengthen waste management, and encourage responsible consumption reflect the need for balanced development.
He pointed to the Kuching Festival Fair as an example of how a community celebration has grown into one of Malaysia’s largest and most successful city festivals, creating opportunities for food vendors, traders, entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Additionally, Abang Johari said that Kuching’s recognition as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy has opened new opportunities for local food entrepreneurs, chefs, farmers, food producers, and tourism operators.
By promoting Sarawak’s culinary heritage, he said, the State is preserving traditions while creating new economic value through people-centred development.
The Premier also commended both councils’ efforts in implementing the Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI), saying children should be recognised as stakeholders who can contribute ideas to improving their communities, while noting that Sarawak must also prepare for its expected transition into an ageing society by 2028.
He welcomed initiatives such as barrier-free public facilities, accessible parks, active ageing programmes, senior-citizen engagement, and community support initiatives that help senior citizens remain healthy, active, and socially connected.
As Kuching marked its 38th anniversary, Abang Johari said that building a great city is a shared responsibility among government agencies, local authorities, businesses, community organisations, and residents.
“If we continue to work together with the same unity, commitment, and vision, I am confident that Kuching will continue to flourish as a city that is smart, sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous,” he said. — DayakDaily
