Strong Local Councils Better Than Larger State Assembly Says Sarawak Mp

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 PKR's Chiew Choon Man questions if adding 17 new seats is an effective and fiscally responsible way to strengthen public service.
The Sarawak state assembly is to be enlarged by 17 seats to a total of 99, under a bill passed this month. (Bernama pic)PETALING JAYA: An MP has called for greater powers for municipal councillors in Sarawak as a means to improve local governance, saying it would be better than enlarging the state assembly
Miri MP Chiew Choon Man of PKR said he did not reject any initiative that enhances representation, but questioned if adding 17 new assembly seats was an “effective, transparent, and fiscally responsible way” to strengthen public service.
Chiew said local leaders and municipal councillors were already actively involved in community service, the Borneo Post reported. State resources would be better used to increase councillors’ allowances and provide the necessary tools and training to improve public service delivery.
He said a fortified local government system would enable a clearer division of responsibilities with councillors managing municipal matters while assemblymen focussed on state-related issues, and MPs handling national and international policy.
“This approach would reduce duplication of duties and lead to faster, more accountable public service,” he said. “A stronger, professional local government, coupled with a lean but effective state assembly, will serve our citizens better,” he was quoted as saying.
Last week, the Sarawak assembly passed a bill to increase the number of seats in the assembly from 82 to 99. State minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who tabled the bill, said the increase was warranted to accommodate population growth, urban sprawl and vast rural areas.
Last night, PBB vice-president Fadillah Yusof said the legislative assembly also took into account the state’s ethnic makeup and administrative needs when it decided to increase the number of seats. - FMT

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