Councillors told to be proactive at all times
KUCHING: Councillors of all local government authorities throughout the state are reminded to be proactive at all times in order to provide efficient services to the people.
Local Government Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian said councillors must be team players when discharging their duties and also be responsible for any decision made by their councils.
As front liners of the local government, councillors must know their roles and functions well apart from having integrity, accountability and transparency.
“If they ( councillors) are not well- prepared, they are not qualified to take up the job. It is that simple. Understand your roles and functions. Your job is not just to seal potholes on the roads, clean the drains, cut grasses and so on but also to fulfil the needs of the people under your charges,” he sad when opening a seminar for councillors here yesterday.
If they (councillors) are not well-prepared, they are not qualified to take up the job. It is that simple. Understand your roles and functions. Your job is not just to seal potholes on the roads, clean the drains, cut grasses and so on but also to fulfil the needs of the people under your charges.
Dr Sim added that councillors must also go to the ground often to meet and talk with the people and get feedback and also to understand their needs.
He said the people might be the ears and eyes of the government but they too depended on the councillors for assistance.
In this era of advanced technology that allowed people to communicate using SMSes, emails and whatsApp applications, the people must try their very best to communicate personally.
A total of 391 people comprising mainly newly appointed councillors attended the seminar, aimed at creating greater awareness on their roles, functions and administrative procedures of the local government authorities.
Dr Sim also launched the third edition of a guideline book for councillors at the opening ceremony.
Drainage and Irrigation Department, Kuching North City Commission, Fire and Rescue Department, Raya Khas Marketing, Weida ( M) Bhd, Trienekens ( Sarawak) Sdn Bhd and LONGi ( KCH) Sdn Bhd were among those which set up booths at a mini exhibition as side events of the seminar.
Assistant Minister for Local Government Datu Dr Penguang Manggil, MBKS mayor Datuk James Chan, Padawan Municipal Council chairman Lo Khere Chiang and Samarahan Municipal Council chairman Datuk Peter Minos were also present.
Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, Local Government Minister