KUCHING, Sept 1: Taking his oath for his second term as Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor today, Dato Wee Hong Seng vows to continue serving the people beyond self, including to realigning and rebuilding a better, safer and more sustainable Kuching South post-Covid-19 pandemic.
The swearing in was conducted this morning at the Council Chamber and witnessed virtually by Minister for Local Government and Housing Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Assistant Minister Datu Dr Penguang Manggil, permanent secretary Datu Antonio Khati Galis and Deputy Mayor Hilmy Othman.
“I am truly honoured and grateful to have my mandate extended by the State government.
“In the past two years, we have been through ups and downs. What remains constant, however, is our core belief in serving the people of Kuching South beyond self.
“We did so with a high level of enthusiasm, integrity and professionalism — the principles which we abided strictly to, while discharging our duties,” he said in a statement today.
Touching on how the past two years were particularly challenging all, especially the frontliners due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Wee noted that MBKS staff were utterly exhausted but yet, their spirit to serve remained intact in fully enforcing the council’s slogan ‘Serving the Community’.
“We have since learnt how to work together hand-in-hand with community leaders, NGOs, associations, ketua kaum and Kuching South residents.
“The pandemic took away many precious things from us, but at the same time, brought us closer together than before.
“It was through the harshest of times that we realised the importance of putting aside our differences, and focused on fortifying our front, by way of embracing each other’s strength,” he added.
This unity has led Sarawak to achieve a high vaccination rate among its adult population, and Wee emphasised that he will heed Dr Sim’s advice that it is time to lead the way in moving towards an endemic management system just like how Singapore is pursuing.
“We must be prepared to live with the virus, by internalising the new normal. To me, the new normal is no mere set of rigid guidelines. It requires a complete overhaul of our attitude towards understanding the healthcare system, observing SOP (standard operating procedure) and appreciating the importance of immunisation.
“We are still far from winning the war, and as we continue to soldier on, it is my personal commitment that no community shall be left behind,” he pledged.
Earlier on, Dr Sim took the opportunity to thank MBKS staff for their hard work and dedication for Kuching South and its residents in the past years.
“I believe that the public has witnessed the impact Dato Wee has made since he was appointed the Mayor in September 2019.
“I am looking forward to the development of the post-Covid-19 Kuching City and urged all to work together in combating Covid-19 as this pandemic requires extraordinary efforts by everyone to overcome it,” he emphasised.
Dr Sim also thanked MBKS for allowing its Community Hall to be used by the Ministry of Health (MOH) as the Covid-19 One-Stop Centre (COSC), as well as recognised the efforts of its enforcement team, disinfection team from its Public Health Division as well as its rubbish collectors.
“These unsung heroes have been ensuring our Kuching City remains clean and free from any public health disease,” he added. — DayakDaily
