Soon Koh: Addition of non-partisan councillors right move to foster inclusivity, public trust
KUCHING (May 20): Bawang Assan assemblyman Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh today voiced strong support for the inclusion of non-partisan councillors in Sarawak's local councils, saying it would promote inclusivity, neutrality, and improved public trust in local governance.
He said the appointment of councillors not affiliated with any political party is a necessary step toward fairer and more representative grassroots governance.
'Increasing the number of councillors is not just about numbers. It must be about representation — not just political, but professional, ethnic, and social representation,' Wong added when debating the Local Authorities (Amendment) Bill 2025 at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today,
Recalling his time as Minister in charge of Local Government nearly two decades ago, Wong said the then-Chief Minister, the late Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, had directed that several council seats be reserved for individuals from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and professional backgrounds who were not affiliated with any political party.
Wong thus stressed that the additional three councillor positions should be used to introduce more diverse and independent voices into the councils, representing professionals, community leaders, and civil society members with no direct political affiliations.
'That directive was made to ensure objectivity, neutrality, and the capacity to serve all segments of the community without fear or favour. A non-partisan councillor serves the people, not a party.
'Such appointments must also be merit-based, not politically motivated. Only then can the people view the councils as trustworthy and inclusive institutions because public confidence in local governments depends heavily on perceived fairness and responsiveness,' he said.
He also highlighted that current councillors, particularly in larger councils such as Padawan, are overburdened by multiple committee assignments and daily demands that often resemble full-time roles, hence this contributes to burnout and may affect the effectiveness of councillors.
Wong thus proposed that councillors be selected based on their qualifications, community involvement, and relevant experience, rather than their political loyalty, and urged the Ministry to prioritise merit over partisanship in future appointments.
He further suggested that allowances for councillors be reviewed and potentially increased, noting the increasing expectations placed upon them.
With those remarks, Wong expressed his support for the Bill, noting that it reflects an important evolution in Sarawak's local governance system to meet present-day demands.
The Local Authorities (Amendment) Bill 2025, tabled earlier today by Deputy Premier and Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, seeks to increase the number of appointed councillors from 30 to 33 in major city and municipal councils.
Dr Sim said the amendment aims to enhance service delivery, grassroots participation, and the councils' ability to manage growing and increasingly complex urban populations.
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