SARIKEI: The role of local councillors is crucial in supporting the government’s grassroots development agenda to ensure inclusive and comprehensive progress.
Sarawak Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Professor Dr. Sim Kui Hian described councillors as frontliners who interact directly with the people and play a significant role in voicing local concerns.
“Councillors must serve as an effective bridge between the people and the government and be well-versed in current policies to ensure accurate information is delivered to the public,” he said.
He said this when speaking at the Sarikei District Council Swearing-In Ceremony held at the Sarikei Central Hall on Tuesday.
A total of 32 councillors took their oath of office for the 2025-2028 term involving 11 new faces while 21 others were reappointed.
All councillors will serve a three-year term from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2028.
During the ceremony, Wong Kie Yong was officially announced as the new Sarikei District Council Chairman, while Misiah Abu Seman was retained as the Council’s Deputy Chairperson.
The appointed councillors comprise representatives from the Sarawak Government coalition parties – Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), and Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS).
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, Dato' Sri Huang Tiong Sii also congratulated all newly appointed councillors.
“I hope all parties will work hand-in-hand to strengthen the Council’s administration towards a more progressive, sustainable, and people-centric direction,” he said.
Also present were Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Dr. Penguang Manggil, representative of Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment, Ahmad Adai, representative of Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Sarawak, Ivy Suli Untup, and Resident of Sarikei Division, Datu Michael Ronnie Langgong. -UKASnews
