KOTA SAMARAHAN: The Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) have taken a significant step in community development with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently.
The six-year MoU is to strengthen cooperation in community engagement, experiential learning, and public health advancement.
The MoU was signed in conjunction with the swearing-in ceremony of the MPKS Child Council Members which was held at the State Farmers’ Organisation Sarawak (SFO), Kota Samarahan branch yesterday (May 17).
Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian together with Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Rubiah Wang and UNIMAS vice-chancellor Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit were present at the ceremony.
In his speech, MPKS chairman Abang Ismawi Abang Ali affirmed that the partnership is a progressive collaboration where there are shared efforts in areas such as Smart City, Healthy City, Low Carbon City and also Child Friendly City Initiative as well as providing broad-based community education.
“This MoU marks our continued commitment towards building a safe, green, and smart Kota Samarahan, while upholding the principles of equity and inclusivity for our future generation,” he said.
He also informed that MPKS and UNIMAS plan to rejuvenate 16 libraries under MPKS jurisdiction as the number of visitors has been declining.
“We see great potential in these libraries becoming community learning hubs, especially on weekends, with UNIMAS students offering tuition or academic support to local children,” he said.
On the newly appointed 22 member Child Council members, he acknowledged they are between the age of 9 -16 years old and could help address local issues and contribute to a more inclusive city planning process.
“With the council’s broader vision to make Kota Samarahan a metropolis of education and health, it is in line with its aspiration to become a ‘Smart, Green, and Safe City’.
“This partnership is not just about infrastructure or technology, it is also to ensure every child grows in a clean, safe, and nurturing environment, free from discrimination,” he said.
Meanwhile after the MoU signing ceremony, three key publication books were officially launched with the objective of enhancing the local governance and public engagement.
These publications include the Organisational Anti-Corruption Plan (OACP), the Strategic Development Plan for MPKS, and a community health training module that focuses on rabies awareness and prevention.
The training module titled ‘Modul Latihan Penglibatan Masyarakat dalam Pencegahan dan Kawalan Penyakit Rabies’ is a collaborative effort between UNIMAS and MPKS.
