Chan (centre) sharing a light moment with Wong (second left) and Abang Afandi (left) during the MBKS annual dinner at BCCK on Sunday. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi
KUCHING: Mayor Dato James Chan Khay Syn has thrown a challenge to staff of Kuching South City Council (MBKS) to raise the quality of their services.
Setting the bars higher each year, he said the more than 800 staff members of MBKS, regardless of their position and department, should be more passionate, dedicated and work as a team.
“We are the people’s council and we should strengthen our teamwork to serve the people better. So far, we are doing a very good job,” said Chan during the MBKS annual dinner held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Sunday night.
Compared to the early years of MBKS, he said the staff members were now more open about working with each other despite belonging to different departments or units.
“Now we can see councillors working together with administration staff and vice versa which is a very healthy attitude as it shows that we (MBKS) are able to solve almost any problems brought to us,” he added.
However, he stressed that actions were more important than talks as MBKS was expected to solve problems or issues affecting the community, such as clogged drains, malfunctioning street lamps and basic amenities under its jurisdiction.
On another note, Chan announced that the council had managed to tar-seal half of the roads under its jurisdiction, and promised more of such projects would be carried out in the near future.
He attributed the success of the council to the commitment and dedication of its staff and support from the state government, especially Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem.
Meanwhile, a hive of activities were held during the dinner, which saw staff filling up the hall up as early as 7pm.
Among the activities were a karaoke session and presentation of lucky draw prizes which were donated by several private individuals. Among the notable figures present at the dinner were Minister of Local Government and Community Development Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, MBKS deputy mayor Abang Afandi Abang Annuar and Federation of Kuching and Samarahan Divisions Chinese Associations chairman Temenggong Lu Kim Yong.