By Karen Bong
KUCHING, May 6: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) has taken steps to remove posters advertising illegal or unlicensed money lending services in a bid to uphold the city’s reputation from being labelled as an ‘Ah Long city’.
MBKS mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng emphasised that as the local authority, they will prioritise doing what is right in the interests of society as a whole, rather than engaging in actions solely to appease the public.
“If an activity has the potential to cause negative consequences and tarnish the city’s image of cleanliness, beauty and safe living, we will take decisive action to address it.
“Our intention in executing certain actions, be it the removal of stray dogs or catching smokers in prohibited areas, is to combat undesirable elements that could mar the city’s reputation,” he shared during his ShallWeeTalk online session today.
Wee pointed out that local authorities should not be blamed for not doing its work and it is unfair to place the entire burden on local authorities when it comes to the management of the city.
Instead, he believes criticisms should be directed towards those who lack civic responsibility and fail to uphold their duties as responsible citizens.
“In this era, we still have people who discard their mattress by the roadside. Such indiscriminate waste disposal should be exposed so that citizens are aware that they too need to take ownership of their actions. Public cooperation is important if we are to progress,” he said.
With that, Wee stressed the need to review and update local ordinances to facilitate appropriate actions within the framework of rules and regulations governing the city’s administration.
“These changes should be brought up to the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) for implementation and encouraging constructive discussions rather than mere complaints.”
Wee also recognised the importance of strict enforcement in bringing about positive behavioral changes among citizens, as exemplified by the practice in Singapore where individuals are required to clear their own tables at hawker centers or face fines.
Additionally, MBKS is actively addressing parking-related issues, particularly on blocking or obstruction of public parking spaces, and seeks to resolve them within the current year. — DayakDaily
