By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, April 1: Dato Wee Hong Seng has renewed his oath as the mayor of Kuching South City Council (MBKS) for the third term from 2023 to 2025.
Wee succeeded Dato James Chan Khay Syn, who assumed office from June 2008 to Aug 2019.
Deputy Premier of Sarawak Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian was present to witness the swearing-in ceremony which took place at the MBKS building off Jalan Padungan here at around 7.30am today.
Also renewing his oath was Hilmy Othman as the deputy mayor of MBKS.
The council also saw the swearing-in of 29 councillors including 17 new faces.
The 12 re-appointed councillors were Azizi Morni of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Chai Ju Loon of Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP), Lamanu Talit of Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), Drahman Jaladin (PBB), Dzamaluddin Zainudin (PBB), Isaac Lee Mong Yan (SUPP), Mok Chuang Ping (SUPP), Sa’amah Bojeng (PBB), Shankar Ram Pohumall Asnani (SUPP), Sufian Ateng (PBB), Theresa Dunstan Udam (PDP), and Wilfred Mujah Aton (PDP).
Meanwhile, the new faces were Albert Tay Seng Pin (SUPP), Andy Lester Tan (SUPP), Bong Siak Peng (SUPP), Candida Entri (PBB), Eric Tay Tze Kok (SUPP), Fadzillah Ahmadi Ali (PBB), Hemang Yu Abit of Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), Jong Jia Chee (SUPP), Judy Kho Poh Gek (SUPP), Kiing Sie Ying (SUPP), Liew Leong Yee (SUPP), Misiah Abdullah@Emiss Berudi (PRS), Mohd Badrulhisyam Mut-Ee (PBB), Othman Bujang (PBB), Roy Percival Rentap (SUPP), Salina Mohammad Salleh (PBB) and Wung Duk Ying (SUPP).
In his speech, Dr Sim who is also Sarawak Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government (MPHLG) reminded the new MBKS council that they are representing him as the minister-in-charge, the Ministry, and the Sarawak government in general.
“You have two very important roles. One of them is municipal services in relation to street lighting, grass cutting, rubbish collection, roads and traffic jams, as well as drains and flash floods.
“However, we are always in need of other agencies. For example, if the street lighting is not working, then they will complain to the council but it is actually Sesco (electric utility company) that we need to complain to.
“However, it doesn’t matter because the public do not care if it is the (fault of) local council, Sesco or Trienekens (rubbish collection company), they know that all of us are still part of the Sarawak government,” he added.
He also mentioned that the councillors are involved in making local policy and regulations which are aligned to the Sarawak government’s policy.
Amongst those present were Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Michael Tiang Ming Tee; Public Service Commission (SPA) Sarawak chairperson Datu Dr Sabariah Putit; Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap; MPHLG permanent secretary Elizabeth Lo and acting city secretary Zainab Marzali. — DayakDaily
