MIRI: Local Government Assistant Minister Datu Dr Penguang Manggil wants local authorities to serve residents within their respective areas efficiently and effectively.
Describing local authorities as the frontliners, he said they needed to work together to make better decisions and to understand and tackle problems.
“Local authorities have to observe the highest level of customer delivery…we need to change the old working mentality to implementing what people want mentality.
“Failing to do otherwise will create a bad impression of the entire government machinery,” he said at a Miri City Council (MCC) gathering on Monday here.
He reiterated that customers or ratepayers were more demanding and expected more in terms of quality, variety, benefits, flexibility, value and service.
“They (taxpayers) want value for their money.”
It was crucial for local authorities to have strategies to create a higher performing workforce to drive organisational changes and deliver sustainable growth, Penguang said.
“The councils should ensure the efficiency of their financial management and always strive to find new sources of income as it is important that a local authority is financially independent and capable of implementing projects or programmes that will benefit residents in their respective administrative areas.”
He added that it was time for local authorities to not only focus on hygiene and garbage collection but also play a role in attracting domestic and foreign investments in order to be financially independent.
“MCC has come a very long way from its humble beginnings known as the Miri Municipal Council. Since its inception in 1933 until now, its status has been changing until 2005 when it was elevated to a city status,” he said.
On another note, he praised MCC’s excellent work in collecting a total of RM43.60 million or 90.3 per cent of the estimated assessment rates.
Meanwhile, Miri mayor Adam Yii said nine initiatives had been taken by the council last year.
Amongst those were the launching of Visit Miri Year 2018-Discover Miri Uniquely Borneo, Miri International Tourism Photography Competition; Miri City’s Mayor Awards, the setting up of Rondaan Team, No Plastic Bag Campaign, the setting up of the Resident Committee, MCC Family Day and active involvement in activities listed in the Sarawak Tourism calendar of events.
Yii also said the council managed to recover outstanding rates totalling RM7.61 million (54.18 per cent) last year.
Last year, the council recorded 67,237 new properties in its valuation list.
“This shows that there is a growth of 3.3 per cent in property development in the city in spite of the current economic situation.
“In chartering our vision for the next decade, we are committed to transforming Miri City into a vibrant and liveable resort city,” Yii said.
Nearly 100 of the council staff, including councillors, attended the gathering.
Six awards were handed out to top achievers (individuals and four departments).
Miri deputy mayor Julaihi Mohammad was awarded the Best Financial Advisor; Peter Chia, the Strategic Management Award; Enforcement Section and IT Unit, the Culture Change Award; Rating and Valuation Department, the Innovative and Creative Award; Treasury Department, the Talent Award while Siti Suhana Rosli picked up the Balanced Scorebard Champion Award.
