By Karen Bong
KUCHING, April 11: Dato Wee Hong Seng today took his oath for a third term as Mayor of Kuching South City Council (MBKS), pledging to prioritise the protection of heritage buildings and strengthen essential council services for the growing urban population.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony held at the Council Chamber of MBKS headquarters, Wee expressed deep gratitude to the Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, for their continued trust in his leadership for the term running from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2028.
“This is not just a personal honour. It is a duty that I carry with great responsibility,” he said, emphasising that local governments are the frontline of public service—ensuring everyday necessities from waste collection to public safety.
Wee highlighted a recent incident involving the collapse of a wall on the second floor of a historic building in Jalan Padungan, which is under its jurisdiction, as a wake-up call on the need to ensure the safety of aging heritage structures.
“While thankfully no lives were lost, it served as a timely reminder that our heritage buildings, while treasured, must also be safe,” he stated.
He revealed that MBKS has taken immediate steps, working closely with the Sarawak government and relevant agencies to investigate the cause, review existing inspection protocols, and implement long-term plans for the upkeep of historical sites.
“This is not an isolated issue. It requires a collective effort,” Wee added, calling on all stakeholders to avoid politicising the matter and instead remain focused on safeguarding public safety.
Looking ahead, Wee said MBKS would continue to enhance its services and embrace innovation to meet rising expectations. These efforts will align with Sarawak’s Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, especially in areas such as digital transformation, environmental sustainability, and disaster preparedness.
He reaffirmed MBKS’s commitment to preserving the unique identity of Kuching South—its culture, diversity, and shared heritage—while also pushing for smarter, more people-centric governance.
“Beyond technology, we must continue to nurture the soul of our city, our culture, our unity and our sense of belonging.
“Kuching South is not just a city. It is a home, a living reflection of our people’s values, traditions and dreams. From our Unesco-recognised food heritage to our traditional crafts and community events, MBKS is here to ensure that our identity remains strong, inclusive and vibrant,” he said.
Wee also paid tribute to outgoing councillors for their contributions and welcomed new members with a call for unity, integrity, and shared purpose in serving the people.
“With this renewed mandate, I pledge to give my full commitment to the task ahead. There is still much to be done, and with teamwork, transparency and tireless effort, I believe we can achieve even greater heights.
“Let us walk this journey together, for our city, for our people, and for the generations to come as it is ‘My City, Your City, Our City’,” he concluded.
The ceremony also witnessed the swearing-in of Deputy Mayor Dato Zaiedi Suhaili, along with 30 councillors, including eight new faces namely, Ariff Ikhwani Mul-Ee, John Wong Chiew Shin, Mohamad Akram Mohamed, Mohd Syafiq Mohammad Razali, Russell Geramong Wilson, Shaukat Khan Ishtiaq Hussain Khan, Stefanie Everlyn Inte Bubong and Wendy Earnest Sadan.
Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Tupong assemblyman Dato Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman, and Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) Mayor Hilmi Othman were among those present. — DayakDaily
