By Karen Bong
SERIAN, April 5: The Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government is looking into elevating Serian District Council (MDS) into a municipal council as its roles and functions have grown significantly, serving an area spanning 2,819 square kilometres, which is four times bigger than Singapore.
Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian noted that MDS has been around for 75 years since it was established in 1948, way before Malaysia was formed.
“Our system has existed even before the formation of Malaysia. That’s why until today our government is under Sarawak’s autonomy and we are not answerable to the Federal Ministry of Housing and Local Government in Putrajaya.
“We are born before them so how can ‘bapa answer to anak’ (father answers to child)? It is not quite right as Malaysia was born in 1963,” he said when addressing the swearing-in ceremony for MDS chairman and 31 councillors for the term 2023-2025 at the council’s headquarters here today.
With new councils being formed, Dr Sim who is also Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, agreed that district councils which have grown could move up to become municipal councils with more staff and resources.
“We are looking at it to see how we can upgrade MDS so that the council can have more resources as it is part of Greater Kuching,” he said.
For now, Dr Sim gave assurance he will make sure the 30 vacant positions in MDS will be filled as soon as possible as well as provide extra vehicles for the council, given that there are a lot of projects ongoing and to be implemented in Serian Division.
“With four members of Parliament (MPs) and seven assemblymen under Serian Division, MDS has a lot of projects, apart from those under Rural Transformation Project (RTP) and the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).
“Many councils have raised issues of insufficient staff. It is true and we are going to make sure the 30 vacant positions in MDS are filled as soon as possible.
“We will work with the Public Service Commission and we will put in the Cabinet paper to request for extra staff. We also need competent senior and junior engineers. Otherwise, it will be tough for the council to do a good job,” he said.
Meanwhile, MDS chairman Lim Hock Meng led the swearing-in ceremony which saw 18 new faces among the 31 councillors appointed for the term 2023-2025.
Serian MP Dato Sri Richard Riot Jaem, Bukit Semuja assemblyman John Illus, Tebedu assemblyman Dr Simon Sinang Bada, and permanent secretary to the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Elizabeth Loh were among those present. — DayakDaily
