Local authorities must have capability to do public service with greater vigor

The structure of the local government from Municipal council right down to rural district council is being maintained since Sarawak gained Independence in 1963 with the realization that the government needs a close link with the people. 

   
The present structure is still relevant as Sarawak, which forms a third of Malaysia has a total land size of more than 125,000 square KMs. However, the State has a small population of 2.5 million living in more than 5,000 settlements comprising of traditional kampongs, longhouses, towns spreading over anything between five to 30 miles apart.  The demographic pattern of the population represents a big challenge that is not easy to overcome by the administration.

Lawas

The government’s decision to keep local authorities should reflect its strong determination and resolve to help the people in towns and at the level of the people in villages and longhouses. 

Quite obviously, the local councils, each has evolved from a self help body that has almost been very loose in nature very dependent on shoe string budget for operations, has become more and more as the authority of people.  

 Kapit District Council

That was the basis on how the local authorities were founded. The local councils could carry out a number of development projects, though not startling ones, in areas within their jurisdiction.  For example, the local councils in the 60s and 70s helped to lay a foundation to spread education at the grass root level.

Quite obviously, the State government has been trying to re-organise the administrative machinery to suit the local environment that entails restructuring of organizations of local government from city halls, municipal council right down to district councils.  

Understandably, the government is still facing the teething problems of trying to reach the people through local authorities as the lowest level of the administration.  A local authority in Sarawak unlike in Peninsula Malaysia does only cover areas designated as towns. It covers much bigger area that includes villages and longhouses.    Hence steps have to be taken to strengthen the administrative machinery of the local government for the purpose. 

MBKS

Understandably, the State government wants local councils to be more active and councilors should be kept busier in discharging their responsibilities. The structure of local councils can be made uniformed based on those in DBKU, MBKS and Miri to ensure that it will have focus on jobs that can involve councilors so that they can have greater appreciation of the necessity to make public facilities to be in tip top conditions all the time. 

Obviously there is an urgent need to develop the capability of local councils to undertake their public service with greater vigor in future.  For example, they must endeavor to keep public utilities and facilities in tip top condition all the time.  This is something that the local government must start to think seriously; perhaps a local council can do a two- year program to kick start it. 

Understandably, the State government wants local councils to make necessary preparations towards the year 2013 when the State celebrates 50^th anniversary in Malaysia. 

The government has identified that the problem of local councils is mainly due to the machinery that is yet to be fully equipped for the task. Members of the staff are yet to be organized to lead the people to play more active roles in the process of governing at the lowest level of development and maintenance of the society. 

DBKU

For this reason, the State government, during the past few years, has been giving more grants to local authorities. Some local authorities have not been able to collect sufficient rates required to pay for the upkeep of their operation; they do not have sufficient revenue to pay for salaries of their staff. 

Besides, the State government, during the past few years, has been implementing more projects like wharf, roads, drains, parks new schools, clinics and others at the grass root level. As more and more projects are being carried out in the jurisdiction of local council, they have to spend more money to maintain them, keep environment clean in bigger areas and enforce better greening policies and do lots of other things. 

But their revenue mainly from rate collection is insufficient for them to maintain all the projects.  As the maintenance expenditure goes up the income from rate collection remains static.  

MPP

It is anticipated that local councils will be able to collect more rates from estates, now being developed in rural areas, to improve their revenue in future. However, it will take time. The government, being concerned that the inducement or incentive if left too long can be nullified, has decided to give them financial support. 

Obviously, the financial assistance that has been given helps to ease their financial burden. However, their administrative structure remains weak and needs to be strengthened.  

Hence, necessary steps must be taken to thoroughly examine how best to make allocation to local district councils, those with small revenue in particular, to help them to upgrade their services. Understandably, the State Cabinet has given a general sanction for necessary steps to be taken to generally upgrade services of the local government within the next two years.  

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