SIBU: The Ministry of Public Health, Housing, and Local Government is seeking additional allocations for the 26 local councils in the state.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said this is because the local councils in Sarawak are still operating based on rates from the 1960s.
“Who wants to work within an organisation that is still using rates from 1960? That’s why we have to continue seeking support for our local councils,” he said at the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) Chinese New Year (CNY) open house here Saturday (Feb 17).
On the proposed SMC building, Dr Sim said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has approved an allocation of RM70 million for the building.
“It’s not just a building, office, or landmark. All the latest council buildings we construct are equipped with various facilities for the public such as lecture theatres, meeting rooms, and more so that the public can come and enjoy all the facilities instead of just coming to pay their bills,” he said.
Regarding rabies cases in the state, Dr. Sim expressed his gratitude to SMC for their endless effort in actively organising rabies vaccination as well as awareness programmes in Sibu.
“If a dog bites you and you don’t receive treatment, there’s a 99 per cent chance of dying from rabies. However, if you get treated, the chance of dying decreases to 0.1 per cent. Vaccinating dogs can prevent them from getting rabies.
“Now, cats are also at risk of rabies. We need everyone’s help, not just the council’s efforts to catch them. It’s not easy to catch cats. Cats get rabies because they interact with infected dogs. That’s why this programme is so crucial,” he said.
Also present were Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Michael Tiang, Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng Jin Ek, SMC chairman Clarence Ting, SMC deputy chairman Mohammed Abdullah Izkandar Roseley and organising chairman Kiing Teck Ho.
