Padawan Municipal Council's (Majlis Perbandaran Padawan)

Sharifah Hasidah moved the motion to adjourn the sitting. – Photo by Roystein Emmor KUCHING (May 28): The first meeting of the fourth session of the 19th Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN), which saw the passing of six bills and the approval of a motion to reappoint a member to the Dewan Negara, was adjourned sine die at 5.13pm today. Deputy Minister in the Premier of Sarawak’s Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations), Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, moved the motion to adjourn the sitting. On May 20, three bills were passed – starting with the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (Amendment) Bill 2025, tabled by State Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn. The Bill aims to strengthen the state’s biodiversity governance, ensuring it remains effective, sustainable, and economically viable. It also empowers Sarawak to harness its rich biological resources while promoting the commercialisation of scientific advancements. The Land Code (Amendment) Bill 2025, tabled by State Deputy Premier and Second Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, was also passed on the same day. Awang Tengah said the amendments were essential in strengthening Sarawak’s land management and administration, ensuring it remains efficient, adaptable and aligned with the current best practice and standards for governance. Also passed on May 20 was the Local Authorities (Amendment) Bill 2025, tabled by Deputy Premier and State Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian. The amendment facilitates an increase in the number of councillors in several local authorities across Sarawak, including the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) and Miri City Council (MCC), as well as three municipal councils namely Sibu Municipal Council (SMC), Padawan Municipal Council (MPP), and Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS). The number of councillors for each of these councils would be increased to 33 from 30, excluding the mayor and deputy mayor for the city councils; and the chairman and deputy chairman for the municipal councils. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas tabled the remaining three bills – the Infrastructure Development Trust Fund (Dissolution) Bill 2025, which was passed on May 21, along with the Supplementary Supply (2024) Bill 2025 and Supplementary Supply (2025) Bill 2025, both passed on May 22. The Infrastructure Development Trust Fund (Dissolution) Bill 2025 seeks to dissolve the Infrastructure Development Trust Fund, which has been deemed redundant in view of today’s economic landscape. The trust fund, which was set up in 1985, served as a revolving fund consisting of money appropriated from time to time from the State Consolidated Fund into the trust fund for the purpose of building certain basic infrastructure such as roads, water and electricity supplies to any development area. The august House also unanimously passed two Supplementary Supply Bills involving a total of RM391,429,717 for additional expenditures that were not covered in previous allocations. The Supplementary Supply (2024) Bill allocates RM153,769,197 to meet the cost of various services incurred by various ministries and departments for which funds were not provided for or insufficiently provided for in the 2024 estimates. The Supplementary Supply (2025) Bill provides RM237,660,520, including RM100 million required by the Sarawak Premier’s Department to cater for rental of air-charter services due to increased activities. On May 22, the DUN also approved a motion to reappoint Senator Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim, 56, as a member of the Dewan Negara for a second term. The motion was proposed by Deputy Premier and Bukit Sari assemblyman, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, and seconded by Deputy Premier and Batu Kawah assemblyman, Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian. Ahmad’s current term, which began on July 22, 2022, is set to expire on July 21, 2025. His new appointment will take effect the following day. During the sitting, a total of 320 questions, both written and oral, were submitted by 41 honourable members. Meanwhile, Sharifah Hasidah, in her remarks, emphasised the importance of maintaining the dignity and integrity of the DUN as the highest legislative authority in the state. “All laws passed in this House must be respected, enforceable, and recognised without doubt. Let there be no question about their legitimacy,” she said. Sharifah also spoke of Sarawak’s achievements on local, national, and international fronts. Citing the Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, she reiterated the state’s ambition to become a high-income economy and Asean’s energy powerhouse. She praised Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s leadership, noting Sarawak’s increasing recognition as a hub for green energy and hydrogen innovation on the global stage. On the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), Sharifah reaffirmed Sarawak’s unwavering commitment to asserting its constitutional rights. “We will pursue our rights within the parameters of the law, guided by the Federal Constitution, MA63, the IGC Report, and Sarawak’s State Constitution,” she said. Meanwhile, DUN Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar commended the cooperation and decorum demonstrated by assembly members. “This eight-day sitting proceeded smoothly and with great order, thanks to everyone’s dedication in upholding the sanctity of this august House,” he said.

Dr Sim opines that the Local Authorities (Amendment) Bill 2025 will allow for greater local representation at the grassroots level. – Ukas photo KUCHING (May 20): The Local Authorities (Amendment) Bill 2025 is a crucial step forward in strengthening local governance and ensuring that the voices of Sarawakians are better represented and heard, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian. Tabling the Bill for its second reading during the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today, Dr Sim, who is also the Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, said the amendments were timely and necessary to address the growing and evolving needs of Sarawak’s urban and rural communities. “The latest amendment to the Local Authorities Ordinance 1996 (CAP 20) was made in 2020. It is now considered necessary to update the provisions in the Ordinance to keep up with current developments and meet the expectations of our time,” he said. He also revealed that currently, there are 27 local councils under the purview of his ministry, including the newly established Gedong District Council, Sebuyau District Council and Siburan District Council, all of which are governed through the councillorship system. He noted that with rapid population growth, especially in areas under major councils such as city and municipal councils, the demands of residents have become more complex and diverse. “To address this, the Bill proposes amendments to Sections 10, 10A and 11 of the Ordinance to increase the number of councillors in five key councils such as Kuching South City Council, Miri City Council, Padawan Municipal Council, Kota Samarahan Municipal Council and Sibu Municipal Council, from 30 to 33, excluding the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Deputy Chairman. “This increase will allow for greater local representation at the grassroots level and ensure that the needs of our communities are better served,” he said. Another key provision in the Bill he said is the proposed amendment to Section 172A, which will empower the Majlis Mesyuarat Kerajaan Negeri (State Cabinet) to amend all schedules in the Ordinance more efficiently. Dr Sim stressed that councillors have taken on significantly expanded roles in recent years, often working beyond normal hours to respond to local issues and public concerns. “Currently, the city and municipal councils are overburdened by various ward laws, resulting in slow response times and public dissatisfaction with local services,” “By increasing the number of councillors, we can improve responsiveness, strengthen community engagement, and enhance service delivery to the public,” he said. He emphasised that councillors are essential policymakers at the local level, responsible for ensuring that community priorities are reflected in council decisions, handling public complaints, advocating for improvements, and upholding service standards. “The councillorship system promotes inclusive participation and good governance, ensuring that development in Sarawak is people-driven and locally relevant,” he said. Dr Sim concluded by urging members of the House to support the Bill, saying its passage would help fulfil public expectations for more efficient and effective local government services.