Minister spells out the priorities that MPKS should focus on

KUCHING: The Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) has been urged to focus on five strategic priorities to ensure the area’s continued development as a progressive, efficient and sustainable municipality.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the priorities include improving infrastructure and public amenities, maintaining cleanliness, strengthening governance and service delivery, promoting inclusive and sustainable development, and enhancing strategic cooperation among relevant stakeholders.

“Moving forward, I want MPKS to focus on five key priorities in determining Samarahan’s development direction,” he said.

His speech was read by Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah during the MPKS 10th anniversary dinner at a hotel here, on Wednesday (Nov 11).

Abang Johari said MPKS must continue improving infrastructure and public facilities, including roads, drainage systems, street lighting, recreational areas and community amenities, in line with the area’s growing population.

He also stressed that cleanliness and environmental management must remain important priorities.

Abdul Karim (7th from left) participating in the cake cutting ceremony in conjunction with the MPKS 10th anniversary. Photo: Mohd Alif Noni

“A developed municipality is not measured solely by its buildings and infrastructure, but also by its level of cleanliness, solid waste management, landscaping maintenance and the overall environmental comfort enjoyed by the community,” he said.

On governance, he called on MPKS to make greater use of digital technology to improve administrative efficiency, facilitate public dealings and ensure residents’ complaints and needs were addressed promptly and effectively.

He further emphasised the importance of inclusive and sustainable development, with attention given to community well-being and environmental conservation.

The fifth priority, he said, was to strengthen strategic cooperation between MPKS, the Integrated Regional Samarahan Development Agency (IRSDA), government agencies, the private sector and the community to ensure development in Samarahan was implemented in an integrated manner.

Beyond these priorities, Abang Johari stressed that development must be extended beyond the urban centre to cover all four main zones under MPKS, namely Muara Tuang, Stakan, Asajaya and Sadong.

“In planning Samarahan’s future, development must not be concentrated solely in the urban centre. We must give balanced attention to the four main zones,” he said.

He said each zone had its own development needs and potential, requiring comprehensive planning to ensure the benefits of progress were shared by all residents, including those in rural settlements.

He said Muara Tuang required improved infrastructure and municipal services to support its growing residential, educational and economic activities, while Stakan needed more organised settlement planning, including better road networks, drainage systems and public facilities.

For Asajaya, he said the potential of agriculture, the rural economy and local development should continue to be maximised, while Batang Sadong required greater attention to basic amenities, connectivity and wider economic opportunities for its communities.

“We must ensure that Samarahan’s growth does not create an excessively wide development gap between urban areas and more distant settlements,” he said.

Abang Johari also highlighted the role of IRSDA in coordinating and accelerating development projects across Samarahan Division, covering infrastructure, roads, drainage, flood mitigation, public facilities, agriculture and tourism.

He called for closer cooperation between IRSDA, MPKS, ministries, government departments, agencies and community leaders to ensure projects were implemented according to priority, avoid overlapping plans and deliver direct benefits to the people.

“MPKS’s elevation to municipal council status should not be regarded as the final destination, but rather the beginning of greater responsibilities.

“I wish to emphasise that the elevation to municipal council status is not the final destination, but rather the beginning of greater responsibilities,” he said.

He is confident that with proper planning and cooperation among all stakeholders, MPKS would be able to fulfil its responsibilities effectively as Samarahan continued to develop.

He also commended the council’s past and present leadership, councillors and staff for their contributions over the past decade, while urging its workforce to uphold teamwork, integrity and professionalism in delivering the best services to the public.