KOTA PADAWAN: Staff from local authorities in Sarawak need to ramp up their efforts on tackling pressing concerns like flash floods and waste management.
In stating this Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil said local authorities need to be sensitive towards the needs of the local community.
“For instance, I understand that Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) has secured a five star rating based on the assessment conducted by the federal Ministry of Housing and Local Government and I commend the MPP staff for all their hard work.
“Having said that, we need to do better in tackling such issues (flash floods and waste management) because the local community has high expectations for us to do an outstanding job.
“Because to maintain the five star rating is to deliver what the people want and their expectation is even more crucial,” he said.
He said this while representing Minister Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian during the MPP’s Chinese New Year (CNY) celebration at MPP building here on Monday (March 4).
“If you read the news over the weekend, there has been a series of flash floods all across Kuching, Sibu, Miri, Sri Aman and other major towns in Sarawak.
“Sure, improper planning, clogged drains may contribute to such a situation.
“However let us not forget that climate change is also equally responsible,” Penguang said, pointing out that heavy rains are even more frequent this year compared to previous years.
He said local authorities can achieve much more by working together as a cohesive team when it comes to tackling the issue.
“My advice is to continue to perform better in addressing public complaints and concerns to ensure that in the future, such mistakes would not be repeated ever again,” he added.
He also hoped that service delivery from the local authorities to the people can be improved.
“This is to ensure that we do what the public want and not what we want,” he added.
Also present during the ceremony were Batu Kitang assemblyman cum former MPP Chairman Datuk Lo Khere Chiang and Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap .
