KUCHING: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng has dismissed criticisms of his role in city administration and diplomacy, stressing that all actions undertaken is part of his official duties as a local government leader.
He said allegations directed at him recently surfaced amid the political climate ahead of the upcoming election, but maintained that he would not entertain baseless personal attacks.
Instead, Wee said clarification was necessary to prevent public misunderstanding regarding the actual role of local authorities.
“Since being appointed in 2019, I have on several occasions represented Deputy Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, at various official functions, including when he was overseas or engaged in government commitments.
“This is a normal administrative practice, similar to how senior officials represent ministers at official events,” he told a press conference held at the MBKS building here today.
Wee added that representation was not unusual within the government administrative system.
He also rejected claims questioning his presence at various events involving international delegations, including meetings with foreign embassy representatives and investment companies.
According to him, such engagements are part of efforts to strengthen economic ties and attract investments to Sarawak, particularly in the green energy and emerging technology sectors.
In this regard, he referred to the Asia Pacific Green Hydrogen (APGH) Conference and Exhibition 2026, which was hosted in Kuching and brought together international delegates, creating opportunities for strategic cooperation in the development of the green economy.
“Meetings with representatives from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China and the Consulate General of China in Kuching focused on investment opportunities in the renewable energy sector.
“As the state capital, Kuching must play an active role in city diplomacy to ensure Sarawak remains on the radar of global investors.
“Our role goes beyond protocol. We must ensure the city is prepared to welcome collaborations that bring added value, such as new industries and high-skilled employment opportunities,” he said.
Commenting on issues circulating on social media, Wee described attempts to politicise both official and informal meetings as potentially damaging to Sarawak’s image among foreign investors.
He said inaccurate perceptions surrounding interactions with international delegations could create a negative impression of the maturity of local politics.
