KUCHING: The Sarawak government has reappointed 758 councillors from 24 local councils statewide, with their new term of office taking effect from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, who witnessed the virtual swearing-in ceremony today, congratulated the councillors, saying the services provided by them were important as they were frontliners for their communities.
“You have to inform the people of what is going on, particularly the policies of the government, in order to uplift their living standard while at the same time providing a lot of amenities required by the community.
“In this instance, I think you have done your job quite well in disseminating information with regard to Covid-19, and you have worked together with the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) so much so you are able to contain the spread of Covid-19 through various approaches undertaken by the government.”
Abang Johari said with such synergy, the state government was able to reach out to the people, particularly on the vaccination programme.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian hoped that with the office term extension, the councillors would carry out their duties with dedication.
“I would like to convey my utmost appreciation to all the local councils in Sarawak for your contribution and sacrifice in dealing with the pandemic.
“I believe when we are united and work together as a team, with our aggressive vaccination programmes, we will win and succeed in achieving herd immunity.
“You must respect the principle of ‘collective responsibility’ where the decisions of the council are made by you (councillors) sitting as one committee or entity.
“Any policy must be explained to the community through regular engagement or dialogue in order to gauge the level of service to the people.”
Dr Sim added that councillors must avoid circumstances “that are detrimental to your image and appointment as councillor.”
“As councillors, you should possess high integrity, kind and caring, professionalism, sense of urgency and ownership, team spirit and result-oriented and conduct yourselves in a manner befitting the office of councillor.”
