Latest news with #LocalAuthorities(Amendment)Bill2025
New Straits Times
20-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Sarawak Assembly passes bill to increase councillors in 5 municipal councils
KUCHING: The Sarawak legislative assembly has unanimously passed the Local Authorities (Amendment) Bill 2025, aimed at strengthening grassroots governance and improving public service delivery across the state. The bill, tabled by Deputy Premier and Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, amends the Local Authorities Ordinance in response to Sarawak's growing population and increasingly complex community needs. "There are currently 27 councils under my ministry, including the newly-established Gedong, Sebuyau, and Siburan district councils. "All operate under the councillorship system to serve their local communities," he said. Eight assembly members took part in the debate involving key amendments to Sections 10 and 11 of the ordinance to increase the number of councillors in five major councils. Under the amendment, the Kuching South City Council, Miri City Council and the municipal councils of Sibu, Padawan and Kota Samarahan will each have 33 councillors, up from 30. "This number excludes the mayor, deputy mayor, and deputy chairman," he said. Dr Sim said the increase in councillors was necessary to manage the rising workload, particularly in urban areas where public demands are becoming more varied and complex. "This move will boost grassroots participation, strengthen community engagement, and enhance service delivery to the rakyat," he said. An amendment to Section 172A also empowers the State Cabinet to revise all schedules under the ordinance, allowing greater flexibility in managing local government affairs. Dr Sim reiterated the importance of the councillorship system in promoting inclusive participation and good governance, ensuring development is people-centred and locally relevant. "With this amendment, councils will be better equipped to meet expectations for efficient and effective service delivery," he emphasised. – Bernama
Borneo Post
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Soon Koh: Addition of non-partisan councillors right move to foster inclusivity, public trust
Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (May 20): Bawang Assan assemblyman Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh today voiced strong support for the inclusion of non-partisan councillors in Sarawak's local councils, saying it would promote inclusivity, neutrality, and improved public trust in local governance. He said the appointment of councillors not affiliated with any political party is a necessary step toward fairer and more representative grassroots governance. 'Increasing the number of councillors is not just about numbers. It must be about representation — not just political, but professional, ethnic, and social representation,' Wong added when debating the Local Authorities (Amendment) Bill 2025 at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today, Recalling his time as Minister in charge of Local Government nearly two decades ago, Wong said the then-Chief Minister, the late Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, had directed that several council seats be reserved for individuals from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and professional backgrounds who were not affiliated with any political party. Wong thus stressed that the additional three councillor positions should be used to introduce more diverse and independent voices into the councils, representing professionals, community leaders, and civil society members with no direct political affiliations. 'That directive was made to ensure objectivity, neutrality, and the capacity to serve all segments of the community without fear or favour. A non-partisan councillor serves the people, not a party. 'Such appointments must also be merit-based, not politically motivated. Only then can the people view the councils as trustworthy and inclusive institutions because public confidence in local governments depends heavily on perceived fairness and responsiveness,' he said. He also highlighted that current councillors, particularly in larger councils such as Padawan, are overburdened by multiple committee assignments and daily demands that often resemble full-time roles, hence this contributes to burnout and may affect the effectiveness of councillors. Wong thus proposed that councillors be selected based on their qualifications, community involvement, and relevant experience, rather than their political loyalty, and urged the Ministry to prioritise merit over partisanship in future appointments. He further suggested that allowances for councillors be reviewed and potentially increased, noting the increasing expectations placed upon them. With those remarks, Wong expressed his support for the Bill, noting that it reflects an important evolution in Sarawak's local governance system to meet present-day demands. The Local Authorities (Amendment) Bill 2025, tabled earlier today by Deputy Premier and Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, seeks to increase the number of appointed councillors from 30 to 33 in major city and municipal councils. Dr Sim said the amendment aims to enhance service delivery, grassroots participation, and the councils' ability to manage growing and increasingly complex urban populations.
Borneo Post
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Tanjong Batu rep proposes 'sub-committee system' for BDA to enhance grassroots representation
Johnny Pang KUCHING (May 20): Tanjong Batu assemblyman Johnny Pang has proposed for the Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) to explore the establishment of a formal sub-committee, structured to function in a role similar to councillors. He said the sub-committee could be structured by area to represent major zones within Bintulu town and its surrounding areas. It would be composed of community leaders, civil society representatives, and relevant stakeholders. The proposed body would be empowered to receive, investigate, and recommend solutions to local complaints and act as a bridge between the BDA and the community. 'If necessary, a policy paper or subsidiary regulation may be issued to formalise this under BDA's operational mandate since Section 5 of the BDA Ordinance empowers the Authority to form committees for specific purposes,' he said when debating the Local Authorities (Amendment) Bill 2025 at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today. Pang told the august House that the BDA is presently not structured with councillors as provided under the Local Authorities Ordinance, which creates a governance gap, especially on the ground level. 'Unlike municipalities where appointed councillors represent zones, handle local issues, and engage residents directly, constituencies under BDA lack this grassroots machinery. 'This means that when public complaints arise, from blocked drains to license disputes to development matters, residents turn directly to the local elected representatives, and by extension, our service centres, for every issue, big or small. 'While we continue to serve diligently, a more structured community-based governance mechanism would greatly improve responsiveness,' he said. Noting that the amendment Bill focuses on councils governed under the Local Authorities Ordinance, he urged that the same spirit of inclusivity, representation and structured local input be extended to areas under statutory bodies like BDA. 'Let me be clear, this proposal does not aim to undermine or discredit the commendable work already carried out by BDA. 'On the contrary, it is intended to complement and support BDA's existing efforts by strengthening its connection with communities on the ground. 'By introducing a more structured local feedback mechanism, we can ensure that the voices of the public are channelled more effectively and consistently, thereby enhancing the responsiveness and reach of BDA's services,' said Pang. Bintulu Development Authority councillors DUN sitting johnny pang lead
Borneo Post
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
DUN sitting: Local Authorities (Amendment) Bill 2025 passed, increasing councillor numbers for local authorities
Dr Sim Kui Hian KUCHING (May 20): The Local Authorities (Amendment) Bill 2025 has been passed to increase the number of councillors in several local authorities across Sarawak. These include the Kuching South City Council and Miri City Council, as well as three municipal councils: Sibu Municipal Council, Padawan Municipal Council, and Kota Samarahan Municipal Council. The number of councillors for each of these councils will be increased from 30 to 33, excluding the Mayor and Deputy Mayor (for city councils) and the Chairman and Deputy Chairman (for municipal councils), said Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian. The latest amendment to the Local Authorities Ordinance, 1996 [Cap.20] was made in 2020, he said in his winding up speech upon the passing of the Bill after its third reading at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today. 'After five years, it is necessary to update the Ordinance to reflect current developments and amend the provisions to meet present-day changes and expectations,' he said. 'Currently, there are 27 councils in Sarawak under my Ministry including the newly created councils namely, Gedong District Council, Sebuyau District Council and Siburan District Council. All of these 27 councils are practising the councillorship system in their administration to serve the public and community in their respective jurisdictions,' said Dr Sim, who is also Deputy Premier of Sarawak. 'As the population grows particularly in areas under the jurisdiction of major councils such as City Councils and Municipal Councils, the needs of the constituents become more diverse and complex.' 'It is essential for local representation at the community level be increased to better serve the needs of the people,' he insisted. He said the amendments to Sections 10, 10A, and 11 of the Ordinance were intended to facilitate this increase in councillor numbers. He added the amendment to Section 172A on the other hand, is to empower the State Cabinet (or Majlis Mesyuarat Kerajaan Negeri) to amend all the schedules in the Ordinance. The roles and functions of councillors have increased tremendously in recent years, as the public expects them to solve problems or issues on the ground expeditiously beyond ordinary working hours, he said. 'The City and Municipal Councils are currently overburdened by various workloads, resulting in slower response time which triggers dissatisfaction of the people toward services rendered by the councils. 'By increasing the numbers of councillors in major councils, it will ensure grassroots participation, community engagement and more effective service delivery to the people,' he added. 'Councillors play a vital role in local governance and policy-making. They are responsible for ensuring that local priorities and needs are reflected in council decisions,' he said. 'They monitor council services, follow up on complaints, push for improvements, and uphold service delivery standards. The councillorship system promotes inclusive participation and good governance, ensuring that development is people-driven and locally relevant,' he added. 'In conclusion, with the passing of this amendment Bill to increase the number of councillors, we can better meet public expectations for efficient and effective local government services.'
The Sun
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Sarawak assembly passes bill to increase councillors in five major councils
KUCHING: The Sarawak legislative assembly has unanimously passed the Local Authorities (Amendment) Bill 2025, aimed at strengthening grassroots governance and improving public service delivery across the state. The Bill, tabled by Deputy Premier and Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, amends the Local Authorities Ordinance in response to Sarawak's growing population and increasingly complex community needs. 'There are currently 27 councils under my ministry, including the newly established Gedong, Sebuyau, and Siburan district councils. All operate under the councillorship system to serve their local communities,' he explained. Eight assembly members took part in the debate involving key amendments to Sections 10 and 11 of the ordinance to increase the number of councillors in five major councils. Under the amendment, the Kuching South City Council, Miri City Council and the municipal councils of Sibu, Padawan and Kota Samarahan will each have 33 councillors, up from 30. 'This number excludes the mayor, deputy mayor, and deputy chairman,' he added. Dr Sim said the increase in councillors was necessary to manage the rising workload, particularly in urban areas where public demands are becoming more varied and complex. 'This move will boost grassroots participation, strengthen community engagement, and enhance service delivery to the rakyat,' he said. An amendment to Section 172A also empowers the State Cabinet to revise all schedules under the ordinance, allowing greater flexibility in managing local government affairs. Dr Sim reiterated the importance of the councillorship system in promoting inclusive participation and good governance, ensuring development is people-centred and locally relevant. 'With this amendment, councils will be better equipped to meet expectations for efficient and effective service delivery,' he emphasised.
