Latest news with #LocalAuthoritiesOrdinance
IOL News
22-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Urgent need for responsible budgeting in local municipalities
To tax the already burdened and hard-pressed citizen is imprudent and should be avoided, says the writer. Image: Independent Newspapers MUNICIPALITIES are in the process of considering the Integrated Development Plan that incorporates the budget. These are statutory requirements. Local authorities are governed by relevant provisions of the RSA Constitution as well as the Local Authorities Ordinance and the trilogy of local government statutes - systems, structures and finance management. The budget is all about three things mainly-projected expenditure, projected income and the deficit. In the mix of the consideration are statutory consultations with the public and other role players. Regrettably, this has just become ticking the boxes with little or nothing of the many meaningful inputs being considered. This is just a crying shame. It is a common bad practice for councils to simply increase the rates and various other tariffs in order to make up the deficit. This is a clarion call and a wake-up call to authorities to face reality and be prudent regarding this sensitive and important matter in the light of the adverse economic situation the country faces. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Many people barely have basic food to put on the table and luxuries are out of the question. There are too many mamparas and nincompoops that hold political office and senior administrative positions and are oblivious of the plight of the teeming masses. They make decisions that concern people without due consideration to the reality of life. To tax the already burdened and hard-pressed citizen, as well as businesses and industry that contribute hugely to the city coffers, is imprudent and should be avoided. It is a common fact that in municipalities there is much mismanagement, laxity and incompetence with the result that wasteful, frivolous, unnecessary and fruitless expenditure is incurred. The Auditor-General yearly confirms this but the malpractices continue to the detriment of citizens, property owners and businesses. It is my fervent prayer that sense and reality will prevail in the various local authorities so that people and businesses can survive in these hard times and there will be a win-win situation for both the municipalities and its citizens and businesses. SIMON T DEHAL Verulam ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media. THE POST
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
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.
