KAPIT: Walikota Lating Minggang has called on all local councillors to take public criticisms and complaints positively to further improve the service delivery system of Kapit District Council.
“As councillors you need to be more proactive and community-centric. You must also understand the development needs of your respective areas,” said Lating in his opening remarks at the third quarter full meeting of the council held recently.
To carry out their roles and responsibilities more systematically and efficiently, councillors have been assigned to six zones named after the respective state constituencies, namely, Bukit Goram Zone, Pelagus Zone, Katibas Zone, Baleh Zone, Belaga Zone and Murum Zone. As for the sub-districts like Sungai Asap and Nanga Merit, they are grouped together under Belaga Zone.
“They are further divided into six main standing committees and their tasks are segregated into specific roles and responsibilities to complement the various sections in the council’s administration,” said Lating.
The six main standing committees are Finance and Employment Permanent Committee, Public Works Permanent Committee, Public Health, Licensing and Market Permanent Committee, Community Development and Communication Permanent Committee, Rural Affairs Permanent Committee and Landscaping and Beautification Permanent Committee.
Lating also reminded the councillors that their tasks are becoming more challenging by the day because with the availability of telecommunication technology any abnormality can go viral on social media and posted within minutes.
“Thus councillors must also enhance their service level and be proactive in order to cater to the rising expectation of the general public,” he said.
He added that councillors being the policy makers need to go down to the ground not only to verify but also to get a better picture and
first-hand information on the issues in situ. He concurred with the idea of Kapit District Council secretary Jabang Juntan that the full council meeting shall endorse proposals that had been deliberated in detail by the councillors during their respective standing committee meetings.
He emphasised the need for the councillors to inculcate good governance and value management in their work culture that could instil in them a sense of belonging, pride in the quality of their jobs and take ownership of their tasks.
