SERIAN: The government is looking into elevating the Serian District Council (MDS) to a municipal council as its roles and functions have grown significantly.
Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian said MDS was established in 1948, way before the formation of Malaysia, and has played its part in serving the people for 75 years.
The added that the council serves in an area of more than 2,800 square kilometres, which is four times the size of Singapore.
“It is obvious that our governance system existed before Malaysia was formed, and until today our government has the autonomy in managing the local government here.
“With new councils being formed, MDS could move up to become a municipal council with more staff and resources to be given so that they can serve better in their jurisdiction.
“Hence, we are looking to see how we can upgrade the council so that they can have more resources as it is part of the Greater Kuching,” said Dr Sim, who is also Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, at the swearing-in ceremony of MDS chairman and 31 councilors for the term 2023-2025 at the MDS headquarters, today.
He also assured that the 30 vacant positions in the council will be filled as soon as possible and to provide vehicles for the council, as there are a lot of ongoing projects that need to be implemented in Serian.
“There are four members of parliament (MPs) and seven assemblymen under Serian Division, so MDS has a lot of projects, those under the Rural Transformation Project (RTP) and the 12th Malaysian Plan (12MP).
“We will also make sure the 30 vacant positions in MDS are filled as soon as possible, as many councils have raised the issue of staff insufficiency,” said Dr Sim.
Dr Sim also said his ministry will work with the Public Service Commission to request for more staff.
“We need competent senior and junior engineers. Otherwise, it will be tough for the council to do its job,” he added.
At the ceremony, MDS chairman Lim Hock Meng led the swearing-in ceremony which saw 18 new faces among the 31 councilors appointed for the term 2023-2025.
Present were Serian MP Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem, Bukit Semuja assemblyman John Ilus, Tebedu assemblyman Dr Simon Sinang Bada and permanent secretary to the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Elizabeth Loh.
