MIRI: The reappointment of Adam Yii Siew Sang as Mayor comes at a time of rising public expectations and increasing pressure on local councils to deliver more responsive, people-centric governance.
At the swearing-in ceremony today, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, who is also Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister, stressed that city leadership today is no longer ceremonial, but carries significant operational and reputational weight, particularly for urban centres like Miri.
“Miri is not just any council. It is one of only a handful of city councils in Malaysia. What you do sets the benchmark,” he said.
Miri is among only three city councils in Sarawak, alongside Kuching South City Council and Kuching North City Hall, placing it within a limited group of just 20 cities nationwide.
The designation, Dr Sim stressed, brings heightened scrutiny and expectations from the public.
Dr Sim noted that local councils remain the most visible arm of government, often becoming the first point of contact for public grievances, regardless of whether the issue falls within their jurisdiction.
“Even when it is not under the council, people will still come to you. That is the reality of being at the frontline,” he said.
He called on councillors to move beyond formal roles and adopt a more proactive, ground-level approach, stressing the need for accessibility, accountability and consistent public engagement.
“People expect more today. This is not the same as 10 or 20 years ago,” he added.
On the fiscal front, Dr Sim acknowledged that many local councils face financial constraints, particularly as Sarawak continues to maintain relatively low assessment rates compared to other parts of Malaysia.
He said the state government has deliberately kept rates affordable to ease the burden on residents, but this has inevitably limited revenue streams for councils, with some operating under deficit conditions.
“We try very hard not to increase assessments because we want to help the people. But that also means councils must work harder to manage with what they have,” he said.
He stressed the importance of communicating these constraints to the public, noting that the complexity of municipal financing is often not fully understood.
Beyond governance, Dr Sim highlighted the need for Miri to position itself strategically amid emerging economic opportunities, particularly in tourism, education and energy.
He pointed to the scale of regional markets, especially China, noting that even a small share of outbound tourism could significantly boost local economies.
“Attracting visitors is not just about promotion. It is about readiness – services, infrastructure and how we receive them,” he said.
He also emphasised the importance of talent development and capacity building within the council to ensure the city can meet future demands.
Dr Sim stressed that urban development cannot be driven by the council alone, calling for stronger collaboration across government agencies, the private sector and the community.
“This is your city. If you do not take ownership, no one else will do it for you,” he said.
Also present at the ceremony were Transport Minister, Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin, and Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Sebastian Ting Siew Yew.
Yii was first appointed mayor in 2017, becoming one of the youngest to helm the Miri City Council.
He has since overseen a range of urban initiatives, including efforts to strengthen municipal services, promote digitalization, and enhance Miri’s positioning as a tourism gateway in northern Sarawak.
