By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, May 20: Objecting to the Local Authorities (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, Pending assembly woman Violet Yong (PH-DAP) advocates quality over quantity while Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian who tables the Bill hopes that she could be around to hear him out.
When debating the Bill, Yong held that while the numerical amendment may appear minor, its implications are not.
“If we are to increase the number of councillors, it is pertinent to also improve the effectiveness of their roles. Appointing more councillors without corresponding efforts to strengthen their performance, accountability, and community engagement risks compounding existing inefficiencies.
“Let us not merely add to the numbers — let us raise the bar. Let us restore the integrity and purpose of the councillor’s role, not through symbolic appointments, but through meaningful, results-driven service to the rakyat,” said Yong when debating the Bill at Sarawak Legislative Assembly today.
Yong believed that councillors are entrusted with the responsibility of bridging the gap between local authorities and the people. They are expected to serve diligently, respond to local issues, and represent the interests of their communities.
“Unfortunately, in practice, many councillors across Sarawak mostly remain invisible and disengaged from the very communities they are appointed to serve.
“Despite being assigned to specific neighbourhoods or zones, many residents do not even know who their councillors are, let alone how to reach them when issues arise. This reflects a serious disconnect between the office and the people,” said Yong.
She pointed out that in constituencies, especially those held by opposition representatives like Padungan and Pending, it is often the elected representatives who are forced to step in — inspecting drainage, reporting faulty infrastructure or poor services, addressing waste collection etc.
To her, these are the functions among others that rightly fall within the scope of local councillors.
She also found it troubling that some councillors appear reluctant or perhaps instructed not to engage openly with opposition representatives especially in the jurisdiction of Kuching South City Council (MBKS).
“Despite political differences, we must never forget that we are all here to serve the people. Public service must never be politicised,” said Yong.
Dr Sim who is also Deputy Premier had tabled the Local Authorities (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 to increase the number of councillors for five local councils namely MBKS, Miri City Council, Sibu Municipal Council, Padawan Municipal Council and Kota Samarahan Municipal Council, from 30 to 33.
When winding up the motion, Dr Sim responded to Yong, stressing that he agreed with Yong’s notion of councillors’ main responsibility is serving the people.
“I totally agree, but unfortunately as usual, she is not here to listen. She speaks, and she does not listen.
“We always look forward to everyone, in terms of cooperation, mutual respects. But cooperation and mutual respect must start from yourself. You must respect others, before others respect you. You must cooperate with others, before others cooperate with you,” said Dr Sim.
He added that there has absolutely been no issue to work together with DAP secretary general Anthony Loke.
“Why doesn’t she learn from her secretary general? I have no issue in texting YB Loke anytime and he said, ‘If you have got any issue with my YBs, let me know’. May be I should complain a bit more. Only a few YBs, not all YBs are like that,” said Dr Sim. — DayakDaily
