SIBU: The local authorities ought to roll out courtesy campaigns to help create a society where people are civic-conscious.

In giving the advice yesterday, Minister of Local Government and Community Development Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh said such campaigns would also enhance community spirit.

Speaking at the State Local Authority Seminar at RH Hotel here, he lamented that people these days preferred to keep to themselves and their own surrounding which made them self-centred and egoistic.

He cited former Singapore premier, the late Lee Kuan Yew, as an example of someone who succeeded in propagating courtesy since the early 70s and creating a garden city for the island republic.

“Yes, we have improved materialistically, but we do not want just something materialistic. We also want people to adopt better manners, more courteous approach to all things and be friendly to one another, and have greater goodwill and understanding and greater tolerance towards one another.

“Perhaps one way we can work on is the courtesy campaign,” he reiterated.

“Gone are the days when society had the good kampung spirit and knew one another so well,” he added.

Wong, who is also Second Finance Minister, said he was happy with the implementation of the Local Agenda 21 Programme to create sustainable development.

He noted it had successfully brought people together.

“Activities such as recycling, household composting, garbage enzyme, segregation of waste, reducing the use of plastic bags, tree planting, Earth Hour, anti-Aedes campaign and cleaning campaign are being organised from time to time.

“This can bring people together. It removes the barrier and we can nurture a courteous society in which members of the community work closer together,” he pointed out.

Wong also praised the smart partnership between the councils, corporate sector and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in organising community projects.

He said councils throughout the state had also engaged the local communities in celebrating the various festivals.

“Something of that nature can bring the people together, thus forging the community spirit, which we should continue to do,” he exhorted.

Local authorities were also urged to take the changing world and society as an opportunity instead of seeing it as a threat.

“Changing world requires the local authorities to take a different role in engaging the community.

“The evidence of current success is no proof of future success, particularly when the future might bear little resemblance to what we presently experience.

“Moreover, it is going to be a future of greater complexity with exploding information flows, and which is less predictable,” he said.

With a more vocal and demanding society, he said it was crucial for the local authorities to be more determined in facing future challenges.

He also reminded local authorities to work hard to stay engaged with the local communities, and to maintain law and order in their respective areas to create a place more conducive to live in.

“We have to be consistent and fair to all, only then the public will be convinced that we mean business,” Wong said.

The event was also attended by Assistant Minister of Community Services Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie, Assistant Minister of Local Government John Sikie, Local Government and Community Development Ministry permanent secretary Datu Dr Penguang Manggil, Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King, Kuching South mayor Dato James Chan, Sibu Rural District Council chairman James Laju Ambok, SMC deputy chairman Dato Andrew Wong and secretary Hii Chang Kee