MIRI: A proposed initiative to adopt Garnishee Proceedings aims to enhance the collection of annual assessment tax arrears for local authorities across Sarawak.

Developed by the Innovative and Creative Circle (KIK) group, SIRIUS PRIME of the Miri City Council (MBM), the project titled ‘Kesukaran Mengutip Cukai Taksiran Tahunan Tertunggak’ emerged as the top winner of the Sarawak Civil Service Sustainability Innovation Award (SCS-NEXT) 2024.

The proposal introduces Garnishee Proceedings to replace the conventional method of tax recovery, reducing the process duration from 9 months and 4 weeks to just 3 months and 2 weeks.

According to team leader, Ahsleen Atma Joshua, the method managed to cut down on manpower and operational costs while improving productivity.

Meanwhile, Acting City Secretary of Miri City Council, Abdul Rahman Taupek said the project has already drawn interest from other local councils who are in the process of implementing the method within their respective jurisdictions.

He added that the KIK project was also successfully replicated by local councils such as the Kuching South City Council (MBKS), Padawan Municipal Council (MPP), and Sibu Municipal Council (MPS).

In this regard, Abdul Rahman expressed hope that more agencies will participate in the KIK Convention, noting how innovation-driven and out-of-the-box solutions like this reflect the capability of civil servants to address administrative challenges.

Director of the Sarawak Transformation and Innovation Unit (STIU), Superi Awang Said commended MBM’s forward-thinking project and highlighted the importance of harmonising such initiatives across government agencies to ensure effectiveness and sustainability in public service delivery.

“The ability of this project to be effectively replicated proves that innovation in the public sector is not merely an internal solution, but a catalyst for systemic improvement across agencies.

“STIU views this success as evidence that investing in creative thinking and strategic implementation can accelerate the achievement of the Sarawak Civil Service transformation agenda,” he said. -UKASnews