LOCAL GOVERNANCE AND EMERGING CHALLENGES
The first of a series of seminar
cum workshop on Local Governance and Emerging Challenges, organised by the Sarawak
Development Institute and sponsored by the Konrad Adeneur Foundation of Germany
was conducted in Miri on 24th and 25th september 1998. It was attended by heads
of departments, community leaders, politicians, councillors and invited members
of the public. six working papers were presented. These are: Elements
of good governance - A conceptual framework by Encik Ahi Sarok, University Malaysia
Sarawak - A historical perspective by Prof. Michael Leigh, UNIMAS; Present local
government system - structure and role by Encik william T K Tang, Ministry of
Environment & Public Health, Sarawak; Good governance & Civil Society
at the grassroots level by Encik Abdul Ghafur Shariff, District Officer Kuching;
Community Participation - A new contributive aspect towards local governance
by YB Encik Chan Seng Kai, Majlis Bandaraya Kuching Selatan (MBKS); and The
role of local governance - A case study of Miri Municipal Council by Cr. Haji
Radzali Haji Alision, Miri Municipal Council.
In his address to the participants of the seminar, the deputy Chief Minister
and Minister of Finance and Public Utilities, YB Datuk amar Dr George Chan hong
Nam outlined the concept of governance. The following is an extract of his speech.
"Governance is the political, economic and administrative authority in the management
of a country's affairs at every level. It is more than just mere governing and
a social contract between government and governed. It embraces the many complex
mechanisms, processes and institutions which interacts to ensure that society
functions in a responsible and stable manner. Good and responsible governance
means a meaningful and effective attainment of a commonly shared goal which
is the concern of not only the public or government administration and officials
but also covers the activities of other social and political groups for the
good of the state. Good governance requires accountability by public officials
in their pursuit to serve the community at large. It requires transparency in
terms of the availability, reliability and usefulness of information."
"In a globalised world characterised by the emergence of new technologies, transnational
environment issues, the dominance of through trade and investment, issues and
emerging challenges are many and varied. Amongst these challenges are continuing
poverty, urbanisation, changing values of the family institution and the economic
threats from global financial systems. How can government and societies react
to the emerging issues and challenges which are continually present in ever
increasing circles and can no longer be restricted by local circumstances? While
admitting that progress and positive development to society in general are plenty,
nevertheless, the road ahead is full of uncertainties. It is therefore the responsibility
of the state, the private sector and civil society to nurture good and effective
governance.
" I am sure that an enlightened public is a co-operative public. achieving good
governance requires building capacities and efforts from not only the government
but private sectors, municipalities, NGOs, community-based organisations, the
academia and individuals with strong convictions and commitments. This partnership
is vital for improved planning and resource mobilisation. This is to ensure
that the benefit of economic growth is equitably distributed."
"At the local government level local councillors need to play a more proactive
role in the community they serve. It's a fallacy to think that the role in they
play is merely to attend meetings and very little else. This should be corrected.
Councillors should actively participate in community service work. They should
go to the ground and understand the problems faced by the community within their
area of jurisdiction. If their area of concern is hawker stalls, then they should
visit markets and hawker stalls to see what improvements can be done or problems
that can be resolved. Similarly, councillors in charge of public cleansing should
get a first hand knowledge of drainage, street lighting and rubbish collections.
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