Raden (third right) presents a souvenir to Chieng.
SIBU: The Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) serves as the government’s frontline in delivering services to the people, says Bukit Assek assemblyman, Joseph Chieng Jin Ek.
Speaking at the Hari Raya Nostalgia 2025 celebration organised by SMC at the Baitulmal Hall of the Sibu Islamic Complex on Tuesday night, he stressed the crucial role of council staff in shaping the public’s perception of the government.
“Therefore, we must always be proactive, efficient and responsive to the needs and feedback of the public.
“Our ability to listen, act and improve continuously will be the key to the trust and support of the people,” he said.
Chieng, who is also a former SMC councillor, is confident that with the spirit of teamwork and high dedication, SMC can make Sibu a progressive, clean and loving place.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all the SMC staff for the hard work and dedication they have given to keep the Sibu town a clean, comfortable and progressive for all,” he added.
Touching on the event, he said the event not only strengthened the relationship, but also revived the traditional and cultural values.
According to him, Hari Raya is a time to purify the heart, seek forgiveness, and strengthen the relationship between people.
“In an event like this, we can feel the spirit of unity that is the basis of the harmony of our community,” he opined.
Earlier, SMC Deputy Chairman, Mohammed Abdullah Izkandar Roseley, said that in an effort to bring the people closer to the local authorities, the SMC had introduced the Resident Councillorship System (RCS) since 2019, an initiative that gave residents the opportunity to voice local issues more systematically.
He said that through the RCS, the SMC involves the communities in the area, approaching the programmes with the locals to emphasise public health, municipal services, rabies and dengue outbreaks, and so on.
“And soon, we will announce the ‘ward councillors’, or an area councillor, which will be a permanent liaison between the community and the council, facilitating information delivery and accelerating action in resolving local complaints and needs.
“They are the point of connecting as well as the government’s third-level front line,” Chieng said.
Political secretary to the Premier, Joshua Ting Fu Ying, Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker’s private secretary, Stanley Chiew, Temenggong Stanley Geramong, SMC Chairman Clarence Ting Ing Horh, SMC Secretary, Yong Ing Chu, and organising chairman, Councillor Raden Khairulzaman Raden Bustari, were among those present.
