YAB YAB Pehin Sri Dr. Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud,
Chief Minister of Sarawak and Yang Amat Berbahagia Datuk Amar Puan Sri (Dr.) Hajjah Laila Taib
YB Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr. George Chan Hong Nam,
Deputy Chief Minister of Sarawak cum Minister of Agricultural Modernisation and Minister of Industrial Development
YB Dato Sri Haji Mohamad Asfia bin Awang Nasar
Speaker Dewan Undangan Negeri
YB Dato Sri Haji Awang Tengah bin Ali Hassan,
Minister of Planning Resource Management cum Minister of Public Utilities
YB Datuk Amar Wilson Baya Dandot
State Secretary of Sarawak
YBhg. Tuan Haji Mohd Atei bin Abang Medaan serta isteri
Mayor of Kuching City North
YBhg Datuk Illiyas bin Ibrahim
Mayor of Kota Kinabalu
Yang Berhormat Assistant Minister
Yang Berhormat-Yang Berhormat
Tan Sri-Tan Sri, Datuk-Datuk
Head of Department
Temenggong, Community Leaders, NGO's
Member of the press
Ladies and Gentlemen
The City Councils of Kuching have reached yet another historic milestone in this momentous celebration of our 20th anniversary of Kuching as a city which also coincide with the State's 45th anniversary of independence.
Since becoming a City on 1st August 1988, the City of Kuching has grown in leaps and bounds over these 20 years.
Today, the rakyat is able to live better lives because of the Visions and the promises made and delivered by our beloved Chief Minister, YAB Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud, a humble statesman of impeccable credentials and experiences, who had served 45 years both in the Federal and State governments and armed with incredible far-sightedness which have proven time and again that the rights, needs and aspirations of the people of Sarawak are positively met and well protected.
The people of the City of Kuching having realize that the strongly advocated politics of change would bring about better benefits to them, have now become willing partners to partake in the process of development. The Councils with the cooperation of an understanding rakyat has allowed a positive transformation in these 20 years where accolades of distinguished awards have been won, some of which have international recognition such as the healthy city award.
I am proud to say that under the very able leadership of our beloved Chief Minister, Kuching City like many of Sarawak towns is confluences of people of diverse cultures and multi-raciality who have coexisted peacefully and harmoniously with hardly any hints of clashes which through open and frank dialogues and the willingness to positively communicate have successfully bring about goodwill and sustainable peace and stability.
YAB Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Bin Mahmud has laid a firm and concrete foundation with his well praised and well implemented politics of development and firmly establishing the highest degree of administration with firm integrity, honesty and efficiency.
The visions and far sightedness of YAB Pehin Sri will eventually transform, improve and positively grow our city of Kuching to match other great cities in the world not forgetting our physical health with the progressive planning and approving generous "green belt"between these progressive developments.
As the newly appointed and fourth Mayor of the Council of City of Kuching South, I will continue with great pains and endless efforts to bring about the realization of the visions and directions of YAB Pehin Sri. I undertake to continue to serve and work unendingly for the betterment of the rakyat, meet the overall aspirations of a modern city, formulate efficient service systems with my administration and MBKS councillors.
MBKS's officers have to be disciplined, positive, innovative, friendly, informative and use common sense where applicable in discharging their duties so as to give a positive image to our organization. We should also as and when and where applicable endeavour to reduce "red tapes"so our customers can enjoy better and more effective services.
MBKS should help the government to achieve its objectives when implementing its policies and at the same time able to give the customers the services that they expect. A hands-on friendly, understanding and educated approach between MBKS and our people will certainly go a long way towards being more effective and attaining satisfaction in its service delivery.
MBKS, the Police, the Community Leaders and the communities themselves must also work together to reduce and eradicate both against person, and property if they are immoral and injurious to our physical, moral and mental health and well being. Vandalism of any sort is an insult to the rakyat which shows the immaturity and the callous nature of undesirable elements. We must be proud of being named a garden city and a new habit has to be inculcated in accordance with the requirements of our concept for better mood of living in our towns and cities. It is important to cooperate and work together with each community and with enforcement authorities to help OURSELVES, lest we too, become VICTIMS.
More recently, much emphasis have been placed on the promotion of tourism in Sarawak. In fact, I am glad to say that the then Kuching Municipal Council had played a very significant role when it launched the first Kuching Festival in 1986. I am also happy to say that the first Kuching Festival was officially declared open by none other than our YAB Pehin Sri himself. Right from the very beginning YAB Pehin Sri has given his support to this festival and it is evident that he is still very much behind many efforts in this event. As we begin today our month long celebration in praise of the city, let us resolve to commit ourselves more towards serving our city, making Kuching a well-planned, clean, beautiful, cultural and popular destination for foreign visitors. We must show our visitors that we are truly proud to be a model garden city, internationally recognized, with constant cooperation and working together to not only maintain but also continue to improve on the cleanliness and giving positive ideas to bring more awards to this beautiful city we live in.
I would also like to express my gratitude and appreciation to Cr. Andrew Teo, Chairman of Kuching Festival Main Organising Committee and committee members who have worked hard in preparing and coordinating the programme of activities for Kuching Festival 2008.
Last but not least, I would like to express my heartiest appreciation once again to our beloved Chief Minister YAB Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud for his effort in making Kuching an extraordinary lovely city to live in. The Council of the City of Kuching South is determined to accomplish the brighter expectations of YAB for Kuching in the years to come. I will assure our beloved YAB Pehin Sri that MBKS will do its best to fulfill its mission in delivering its services to the people of Kuching City South with speed and efficiency. We will uphold the principles of dedication, transparency and effectiveness in our service delivery system and spare no effort to overcome any problem which may arise from time to time.
Thank you.
