Latest news with #ShallWEETalk
Borneo Post
4 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Mayor: MBKS pushes for parking digitalisation to replace coupon system
A screengrab of Wee during the 'Shall WEE Talk' session yesterday. KUCHING (June 29): The Kuching South City Council (MBKS) is pushing for the digitalisation of its parking system, aiming to scrap the use of physical coupons. Kuching South Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng said they are looking at introducing a mobile application to facilitate the payment of parking fees within the MBKS jurisdiction. 'This proposal will be submitted to the State Cabinet for approval in July, and is expected to take form in either July or August. 'We are not trying to make things difficult, but digitalisation will offer greater convenience and is more friendly to users,' he said during his Facebook live session 'Shall WEE Talk' yesterday. In the process of digitalising the parking system, Wee said the personnel involved with issuing overparking compounds will be gradually reduced. He felt that it is time to embrace digitalisation, a transformation that people of all ages cannot run away from. On the implementation of e-invoicing and expanded Sales and Services Tax (SST), the Mayor said the government should take the people into consideration before introducing any new policy. He said people are bound to voice their dissatisfaction if the government implements a new policy without seeking consultations from the relevant stakeholders. 'When a new policy is implemented in a rush, enterprises and people on the ground will find it hard to adapt to it, thereby eroding public confidence on the government of the day. 'Government policies are not experimental trials but get to decide the survival of enterprises and the livelihoods of our people,' he added. To make sure that people can cushion the impact of the rising cost of living, Wee said the government should work on ensuring that its policies would not create further financial burden amid the current economic slowdown. He added that the government must ensure financial stability while introducing new policies so that people can have better planning for their livelihoods. 'It is not that we cannot cooperate, but we need sufficient time to plan and adapt to new policies.' As such, he called for comprehensive consultation and planning from the government before it introduces and implements any policy to avoid protesting voices from the various communities.
Borneo Post
22-06-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
Sarawak records new rabies case involving cat in Matang
A screengrab of Wee during the Facebook live session. KUCHING (June 22): Sarawak recorded yet another new rabies case involving a cat, ending a two-week period with no new infections, said Kuching South Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng. Speaking during his Facebook live session 'Shall WEE Talk', he said the latest case occurred at Mile 13, Matang here. 'This new case once again reminds us that rabies does not only affect dogs but also cats. 'It is possible that cats that roam around in the community get infected through the saliva of the rabid dogs,' he explained. In light of this, Wee appealed to pet owners to keep their dogs and cats within the compound of their residences. He emphasised that pets should not be allowed to roam freely outside. The Mayor also revealed that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) is currently being finalised by the relevant authorities to the expand mass rabies vaccination efforts to include cats. Wee advised the public not to wait for free government vaccinations, encouraging pet owners to vaccinate their animals whenever necessary. Meanwhile, Wee expressed delight that the Sarawak Traffic Games was held at the Kenyalang Traffic Garden yesterday to raise road safety awareness among the younger generation. He noted that such competition had not been held at the venue for over a decade. 'This competition will be organised next year to involve as many primary schools as possible. It should be an inter-school event.' Wee stressed that promoting road safety among young children is essential so they grow up to practise and uphold courtesy, which contributes to reducing road accidents. cat lead rabies Shall WEE Talk wee hong seng
Borneo Post
15-06-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Wee: Don't rush SST expansion without public input
Wee stresses the need for a comprehensive assessment to determine whether people can sustain the expanded SST rates, which will take effect next month. — Bernama photo KUCHING (June 15): The government should engage in dialogue sessions with people from all sectors rather than implementing the reviewed and expanded Sales and Services Tax (SST) rates hastily, said Kuching South Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng. He stressed the need for a comprehensive assessment to determine whether people can sustain the expanded SST rates, which will take effect next month. 'Our economy is still well on its road to recovery, with micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) remain struggling. Now that SST rates are to be reviewed and expanded, consumers and people at large will be suffering,' he told his Facebook live session 'Shall WEE Talk' yesterday. Wee pointed out that when the government increases SST rates, the increasing costs are eventually borne by consumers, particularly affecting those in lower-income brackets who will have to spend more to maintain their livelihoods. He urged the government to strike a balance between broadening its tax-based system and ensuring that people do not struggle to make ends meet. He cautioned that any tax reviews that could lead to 'spiral effects to the economy' must be done 'prudently and with the people's well-being at heart'. 'Is it timely to implement reviewed and expanded SST rates at this stage? Are our people prepared to face another spate of rising costs of living? Wee questioned, adding: 'You can take a stroll in the local wet markets where petty traders unanimously state that their businesses are not doing well.' According to the Mayor, while businesses with strong cash flow might manage the new SST rates, many MSMEs especially less established ones, 'may face risk of closure', potentially leading to unemployment. Wee advised the government against solely focusing on revenue-generating, urging them to consider the financial difficulties people are currently facing. 'If more and more MSMEs close down, we will be seeing more jobless persons, and unemployment can be a nasty issue. 'No doubt that we are not economists but we have been on the ground, well aware of what traders and people are being put through,' he said. As such, the Mayor expressed hope that the government will reconsider its decision to implement the reviewed and expanded SST rates next month. expanded lead reviewed Sales and Services Tax wee hong seng
Borneo Post
15-06-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
MBKS to review hawker centre prices to ensure affordability
Dato Wee Hong Seng KUCHING (June 15): The Kuching South City Council (MBKS) will conduct price reviews at hawker centres under its jurisdictions to ensure that all food and beverages are offered at reasonable rates. Kuching South Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng said petty traders operating at MBKS hawker centres benefit from government subsidies and relatively lower rental fees, and therefore should not price their goods at the same level as regular eateries. 'The rationale of government subsidies is to reduce the operating expenditure of our petty traders in order to ensure that people enjoy food and beverages at reasonable prices. 'MBKS will review the selling prices at our hawker centres to make sure that government subsidies truly benefit our people,' he said during his Facebook live session 'Shall WEE Talk' yesterday. Wee noted that local authorities are empowered to monitor and control the selling prices at hawker centres which are subsidised by the government. While the price review is underway, he said MBKS aims to strike a balance—ensuring that petty traders do not incur losses while offering reasonable rates. 'What we aim to achieve is seeing our petty traders offer reasonable and acceptable prices to consumers with transparency. At the same time, we will also make sure that petty traders can make a good living,' he explained. The Mayor said MBKS will engage in discussions with individual traders to establish a mutually agreeable pricing mechanism. Wee reiterated that government subsidies are intended to ease the financial burden on people due to the rising cost of living. 'The price mechanism that we want to put in place aims to ensure that petty traders won't make any loss while our people can afford the food and beverages toward a win-win outcome,' he said. hawker centre lead MBKS price reviews wee hong seng
Borneo Post
25-05-2025
- Borneo Post
Mayor urges animal lovers to follow laws on strays
Datuk Wee Hong Seng KUCHING (May 25): Kuching South Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng has appealed to animal lovers, both individuals and organisations, to comply with existing legal provisions when addressing issues related to stray dogs. He emphasised that animal lovers should not interfere with enforcement officers carrying out their duties. 'Do abide by our laws and do not get in the way of our enforcement. This is to help bring down the risk of rabies infections so as to ensure the safety of all,' he said during his Facebook live session 'Shall WEE Talk' yesterday. Wee shared a recent incident where Kuching South City Council (MBKS) enforcement officers responded to a public complaint about a stray dog in a residential area. However, when the MBKS team arrived at the site and prepared to take the necessary action, a group of individuals intervened, preventing enforcement officers from carrying out their duties. '(As a result,) our enforcement team had little choice but to leave without taking any action,' he said. Wee reiterated the importance of responsible pet ownership, reminding pet owners to keep their dogs within their resident compounds and not allow them road freely. 'If you stand to protect and love animals, you of all people should comply with the laws. If you intend to take good care of animals, you should find them a proper place rather than allowing them to roam freely, which may cause anxiety to the community,' he said. Wee said he could understand the need to protect stray animals but emphasised the city council's obligation to safeguard the public from potential risks. Wee admitted to facing a dilemma—if enforcement officers did not take action, complainants would fear for their safety, but when measures were enforced, certain individuals would step forward to obstruct the process. 'I have nothing against animal protection. What I do believe is that these animals should be properly kept at home or a designated place.' He further emphasised that the authorities act with empathy when addressing rabies-related issues, noting that organising mass anti-rabies vaccination campaigns is one such initiative aimed at reaching out to the community, particularly pet owners. Wee regretted that rabies cases persist despite continuous efforts to contain the deadly disease. 'I totally get your love for animals. We all love animals. However, human lives are equally precious.' Over the past week, Wee noted that two rabies cases had been reported near SJK(C) Batu Kawa and a retail outlet in Mile 10, both involving stray dogs. He urged the community to remain vigilant with the Gawai festive season approaching. 'Be more alert when you're hanging out and pay attention to your environment. Public safety and welfare are our utmost concern,' he said. animal lovers lead stray dogs wee hong seng
