By Jaythaleela K
MIRI, April 2: Local councillors make a huge difference to residents’ quality of life and how local issues are handled, says Deputy Premier of Sarawak Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, who is also the Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government.
“You are here as a representative of my ministry and the Sarawak government and not by political party nominations to serve people in your respective areas,” Dr Sim said today at the swearing-in ceremony of 32 councilors for Miri City Council (MCC).
He pointed out that MCC councillors play an important role, since 1956 until now, overseeing an area which is larger than Singapore.
He added, the local councils in Sarawak are fortunate, because they came into existence way before Malaysia was formed in 1963, and that councillors had a say in shaping local laws and policies.
Hence, he called on all councilors to work and move together as four wheels of a car to ensure all policies planned are in line with the Sarawak government’s policies as councillors are on the front line.
Thus, Dr Sim urged the councilors to be always available and their handphones reachable to serves the people better.
“We want to move forwards and not in reverse,” he said.
Also present were Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil, Minister for Transport Sarawak Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin and Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts I Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew. — DayakDaily
