By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 25: Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) continues to shine on the world stage after being selected to represent Malaysia in the global World Healthy and Positive Aging City project for 2025–2027 term.
In a TVS news, Kuching North Mayor Dato Hilmy Othman said the recognition enhances DBKU’s position as a competitive and progressive local authority at the international level.
“This honour comes on the heels of DBKU’s major achievements in Istanbul, where we secured two international awards at the 2025 International Award for Livable Communities (LivCom Awards),” he said at a press conference held at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) Complex here on Monday (Nov 24).
DBKU is one of only five pioneer cities worldwide, joining Porti (Georgia), Katowice (Poland), Dali Prefecture (China) and Recife (Brazil).
The global project, led by the International Expert Committee of Active Aging and the International Institute on Aging United Nations, aims to empower cities in advancing healthy and positive aging agendas.
During the three-year programme, DBKU will receive guidance from international experts, technical support and strategic coordination to implement community-based initiatives, senior well-being programmes and inclusive urban development strategies.
At the LivCom Awards 2025, DBKU won the Silver Medal in the Whole City category, a testament to its excellence in holistic urban planning, environmental management, community engagement, arts, culture, heritage preservation and achievements aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Meanwhile, the innovative Darul Hana Musical Fountain project earned a Bronze Medal in the Technology Solutions category, recognising the creative application of technology to enhance city vibrancy and strengthen community-focused development.
From a total of 281 entries across 52 countries, DBKU was also ranked among the top 30 cities globally invited for final presentations in Istanbul.
Deputy Minister in the Premier of Sarawak’s Department (Coordinator for Regional Development Agencies, DBKU and Islamic Affairs), Datuk Abdul Rahman Junaidi, expressed his appreciation to the Sarawak government for its continuous support towards the development of Kuching North in line with the aspirations of Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
“This whole city recognition reflects DBKU’s success in achieving SDG objectives, particularly in outstanding environmental management, inclusive community participation and effective stewardship of arts, culture and heritage,” he said.
At the State level, DBKU also recorded a milestone achievement by receiving the Bureaucratic Red Tape Reform (RKB) Certificate during the Sarawak Public Service Day 2025, awarded for its digitalisation of compound notices, an initiative that drastically reduced processing time from 30 days to just one day.
Collectively, these recognitions highlight DBKU’s role as a proactive, innovative and sustainability-driven city authority committed to building an inclusive and resilient urban community. — DayakDaily
