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KUCHING, July 2: The responsibility and authority to repair damaged drains are with the local government, says Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak’s Soo Tien Ren.
Soo, who is assistant to DAP Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen, said Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Women chief Kho Teck Wan’s criticism of DAP’s inaction regarding the recent issue of the damaged drain at the Batu Kawa old street was due to a lack of understanding of the authority of the State government and the local government.
“In Sarawak, the local government’s power does not fall under the federal Ministry of Local Government; therefore, DAP’s Nga Kor Ming (Minister of Housing and Local Government) and Steven Sim (Deputy Minister of Finance) do not have the necessary authority to intervene in Sarawak’s matters.
“The power to decide whether or not to repair these drains lies with the Sarawak Ministry of Local Government, which is under the SUPP chairman and Sarawak Deputy Premier,” he said in a statement today.
Soo explained that according to the Local Government Act 1976 enacted by Parliament, it is clear that the local government regulation only applies to Peninsular Malaysia.
He pointed out that the authority of the local government in Sarawak is vested under the Sarawak Local Authorities Ordinance 1996.
“Therefore, the Sarawak government has full authority to decide whether or not to repair the drains and who should do so. This is Sarawak’s autonomy,” he said. — DayakDaily
