MPP personnel carried out cleaning works at the site. – Photo courtesy of MPP KUCHING (Aug 25): The Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) has taken immediate action to clear waste illegally dumped beneath the Batu Kawah Bridge following a public complaint. According to an MPP statement on Monday, the complaint was lodged through Kampung Sinar Budi Lama community leader Maimunah Nahar. The council said its personnel carried out cleaning works at the site immediately after receiving the complaint. The Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVSS) was also present at the scene to collect samples for further examination. MPP stressed that dumping waste in public places is prohibited and appropriate action would be taken against any party found committing such an offence. The public is encouraged to report any illegal dumping activities to the council to help keep Padawan clean and safe.  

     Dr Sim (fifth right) receives a memento from Tan during the event in Kuching, while others look on. KUCHING (Aug 29): Local authorities in Sarawak have been urged to benchmark themselves against international standards, expanding their focus beyond basic infrastructure maintenance and routine public services as part of the state’s ongoing nation-building efforts. Speaking at the Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) 70th Anniversary Dinner at a hotel here on Friday night, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said local councils should learn from Sarawak institutions that had achieved international recognition. The Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government cited the Sarawak Heart Centre and Sarawak General Hospital’s clinical research facilities as examples of local institutions that had raised their standards to an international level. “Learn from them, so that we can innovate, improve and make ourselves an international benchmark here in the jungle of Borneo,” he said. In line with this, he highlighted MPP’s achievements, including its participation in UNICEF’s Child Friendly Cities Initiative and its recent inclusion in the WHO Global Network for Age-Friendly Cities. He also stressed the importance of inclusive development, saying local councils should ensure public spaces and facilities were accessible to persons with disabilities. “We don’t want a situation where you go to a shopping centre and there are no wheelchair-accessible ramps,” he said. Citing Batu Kawa Riverbank Park, Dr Sim said local authority projects should create spaces where people of different ethnicities and age groups could interact and participate in activities together. “That is nation-building at its best,” he added. He said local councils should also identify abandoned or underutilised spaces and explore ways to turn them into productive community and recreational assets. “Abandoned places can be rejuvenated and appropriately restored for modern use. That is what Sarawak nation-building is about: creating value,” he said. Also present were MPP chairman Tan Kai, Senator Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim, Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Kuching Xing Weiping, and other distinguished guests.

Sydney: Kuching has achieved a significant international milestone after being unanimously elected as the Convenor and Chair City of the Alliance for Healthy Cities (AFHC) for the 2028–2030 term at the 11th General Assembly of the Alliance for Healthy Cities. Kuching has also been officially confirmed as the host city for the 12th AFHC Global Conference in 2028, bringing the international gathering of healthy city leaders, policymakers, experts and practitioners to Sarawak. Kuching was jointly represented at the General Assembly by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) Sarawak, Kuching North City Hall (DBKU), Kuching South City Council (MBKS) and Padawan Municipal Council (MPP), reflecting the strong collaboration among the agencies in advancing the Healthy City agenda for Kuching. The Kuching delegation was represented by EPU Director Datu Ir. Ts. Awg Muhammad Fadillah bin Awg Redzuan; Mayor of Kuching North Dato Hilmy bin Othman; Mayor of Kuching South Dato Wee Hong Seng; and Deputy Chairman of Padawan Municipal Council Cr Mahmud bin Dato Sri Haji Ibrahim. The unanimous election is a significant recognition for both Kuching and Sarawak, particularly as AFHC currently brings together 181 member cities and organisations committed to promoting healthier, more sustainable and people-centred communities. As Convenor and Chair City for the 2028–2030 term, Kuching will have the opportunity to play a greater leadership role within the AFHC network and strengthen cooperation with cities across the region. The recognition also provides an important international platform to further position Kuching and Sarawak in the areas of healthy cities, sustainability and community wellbeing. The achievement belongs not to any single council or agency, but to Kuching and Sarawak as a whole. The election reflects the confidence of AFHC members in Kuching and Sarawak's collective commitment to building healthier and more sustainable communities. It also highlights the close cooperation among EPU, DBKU, MBKS and MPP in advancing the Healthy City agenda across Kuching. Hosting the 12th AFHC Global Conference in 2028 will provide Kuching with an opportunity to showcase Sarawak's initiatives, experiences and progress to an international audience, while also enabling the city to learn from other cities, exchange good practices and strengthen international cooperation. The recognition should serve as further encouragement for all parties to continue strengthening initiatives that promote healthier lifestyles, inclusive communities, environmental sustainability and better urban living. Kuching's appointment as Convenor and Chair City for 2028–2030, together with its selection as host of the 12th AFHC Global Conference, marks another important step in strengthening the city's international profile and its commitment towards becoming a healthy, sustainable and people-centred city. #agefriendlycitiesandcommunities #PadawanMunicipalCouncil

Tan (centre) and others pose with the waste bins during the handover ceremony. – Ukas photo KUCHING (Aug 9): The Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) has handed over 16 bins to residents of Lo Ti Kong, Batu Kawa, as part of efforts to curb illegal dumping in the area. During a handover ceremony yesterday, MPP chairman Tan Kai said the initiative was aimed at encouraging proper waste management and reducing the risk of illegal dumping at unauthorised sites. He said the bins were also intended for residents with restricted access to waste collection services. Tan said MPP would continue to prioritise efforts to address illegal dumping, which affects hygiene and the area’s image while potentially posing risks to public health, the environment and community well-being. He said the council had been carrying out monitoring and enforcement activities, public awareness programmes and scheduled waste collection services. “Despite these efforts, irresponsible waste disposal activities continued to be detected at several locations,” he said in a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) report. “The council takes municipal service delivery seriously as it has a direct impact on the environment and the well-being of residents. “Illegal dumping is unacceptable and MPP will continue to monitor identified hotspots and implement initiatives to curb it.” Meanwhile, Tan acknowledged the challenges faced by waste collection services, especially in older housing areas and villages where narrow roads restrict access for collection vehicles. He said existing utilities, such as telephone lines and electrical cables, posed further challenges to expanding access routes. He said providing bins was a practical step to help residents manage domestic waste more systematically, especially in areas with access constraints. He also urged residents to cooperate with MPP by providing feedback and reporting illegal dumping in their neighbourhoods. “Efforts to address illegal dumping cannot rely solely on enforcement actions; instead, they require awareness, discipline and continuous cooperation from all parties,” he said. Tan added that MPP would continue monitoring the situation and working closely with relevant parties to ensure areas under its jurisdictions remained clean, safe and comfortable.