KUCHING, July 24: As Sarawak battles Covid-19, local councils must help out in any way possible in the government’s anti Covid-19 war and the vaccination exercise apart from helping those heavily affected by the pandemic.
Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) chairman Dato Peter Minos said while it is not obligatory for the local councils to help the desperate and the truly needy ones by giving food donation and so on, they still had to do it as a kind of social duty and social responsibility.
“The councillors must of course do the statutory routines but they are also expected to do more for the society. We cannot leave it to the government to do everything,” he said in a statement today.
He further said there is no rest and no walk in the park for the local government councils, be it during pandemic or no pandemic.
“The councillors must, by law, handle public waste, cut the grass, do street sweeping and street lighting, desludging, road repairing, drain cleaning and others.
“Like it or not, the councils must do the ‘essentials’. Just like how the Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) is important in giving electricity and Kuching Water Board (KWB) in giving water at all times.
“It is very tough and very difficult but the councils must do it or else, the towns and places under our jurisdiction would be in a big terrible mess,” he added.
He also mentioned that local councils would face public complaints daily. While some are fair and legitimate, some others are nasty and rude and at times, exaggerated and false.
“However, we cannot ignore these complaints. We still have to check the authenticity of the complaints and take action as best as possible to address the raised issue,” he explained.
He also reminded the councillors that there is no escape from embracing digitalisation in doing public services. Thus, he said, councillors must change with the times and constantly be innovative and creative.
At the same time, Minos congratulated the councillors throughout Sarawak on their reappointment for another one-year term during the virtual swearing in ceremony yesterday.
He hoped with the extension of term of service, the councillors would serve the government and the people with more seriousness and dedication. — DayakDaily
