Rep commends Marudi District Council for solidly supporting govt programmes
MARUDI: It is a milestone for Marudi District Council ( MDC) for having the first politicallyappointed chairman who holds the same stature and authority as a ‘Walikota’ (mayor or head of province), in its history dating back from the 1950s.
According to Assistant Minister of Local Government Datu Dr Penguang Manggil, the move to appoint Edward Mendai as MDC chairman in 2016 was initiated by him for a number of reasons.
“The council covers an area of 20,000 square kilometres under its jurisdiction – second only to Kapit District Council in terms of size. It also covers three large districts, with a population of about 80,000 people,” said Penguang, also Marudi assemblyman, during the ‘ MDC Night and Pre- Christmas Dinner 2018’ held at a restaurant here on Thursday.
The assistant minister also expressed his appreciation to MDC for being very supportive and cooperative towards him and other elected representatives in Baram over the past two years.
“I thank MDC for its solid support and cooperation – be it in helping the government to implement projects, reaching out to the local communities and also being the eyes and ears of the government.
“All these have helped make our jobs a lot easier.”
Penguang also said contrary to what some quarters had claimed, he would always strive to give his best in serving his constituents, especially in attending to their needs such as welfare assistance and infrastructure development.
On grassroots leadership, Penguang said his first task upon winning Marudi in the 2016 Sarawak state polls was to restore the democratic process in the election of ‘Ketua Kaum’ and ‘Tuai Rumah’ in the longhouses, which had been fragmented by political and religious differences.
“I strove to unite them so that they could move forward in line with the policies of the government. It was also a test period for me, to gain the trust of the people
The council covers an area of 20,000 square kilometres under its jurisdiction – second only to Kapit District Council in terms of size. It also covers three large districts, with a population of about 80,000 people. Datu Dr Penguang Manggil, Assistant Minister of Local Government
who saw themselves as being sidelined from the mainstream of development.
“In this regard, I wish to put on record my sincere thanks and appreciation to all the Ketua Kaum, community leaders, councillors and all the people of Marudi for their support and cooperation extended to me all this while. I pledge to not disappoint my supporters and continue to do what I am doing now for the sake of the people,” he said.
Penguang also called upon his constituents ‘to put Sarawak and its interests first’, and to not be easily swayed by outsiders who wanted to manipulate the people for their own political agenda. “As Sarawakians, it is incumbent upon us all to give our support to Sarawak-based political parties, under the leadership of our Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“Only Sarawakians can and will determine Sarawak’s own destiny, the way we want Sarawak to be.”
Later, Penguang presented Excellent Service Awards (APC) 2017 to six MDC personnel – Chang Liew Hiong, Nadzarunie Solhi, Catherine Nura Angai, Freddie Lusat, Awang Drahman Awang Gapar and Wan Seman Wan Salleh – and also tokens of recognition to 21 council staff members for commendable job performance throughout 2017.