KUCHING: The Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) is charting a new direction focused on sustainability, inclusivity and creating a more liveable municipality.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian welcomed the move, saying the council had used its 70th anniversary milestone to redefine its vision and set a clear direction for the years ahead.
“I am very happy to see that MPP has taken this opportunity to redefine its direction with a bold new vision: a sustainable, inclusive, and liveable Padawan,” he said.
He was speaking at the 70th anniversary of MPP as a local authority dinner here last night (Aug 28).
Dr Sim said the vision was backed by a mission to deliver quality, inclusive and innovative municipal services while promoting good governance and community well-being.
“This vision is supported by the mission: quality, inclusive, smart, innovative municipal services, promoting prosperity, good governance, community well-being, accountability, transparency, integrity, and active citizenship partnerships,” he said.
He said the milestone reflected 70 years of MPP as a local council, 30 years as a municipal council and 40 years as a rural district council, tracing its roots to its founding in 1957.
Sim also recalled his late father’s service as chairman of the Kuching Rural District Council (KRDC) from 1967 to 1970, describing it as part of the foundation upon which today’s MPP stands.
He added that MPP’s international standing had grown, citing its friendship city ties with China and Korea, and soon Indonesia, its recognition under the WHO Global Network for Age-Friendly Cities, its Child Friendly Cities designation, and its recent CABCOM award for public integrity and sound financial management.
Also present at the dinner were Senator Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim, Puncak Borneo MP Datuk Willie Mongin, Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang, Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap, MPP chairman Tan Kai and Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Kuching Xing Weiping.
