Deputy mayor says the present two-mayor system serves its purpose well
Hilmi (centre) handing the brochure to shop owners as MBKS staff (on the right) look on.
KUCHING: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) deputy mayor Hilmi Othman is of the opinion that the current two-mayor system in Kuching is functioning very well and does not necessitate change.
Stating that the call for Kuching to have one mayor has been going on for years, he pointed out that the current two-mayor system had served its purpose well.
“The one-mayor issue has been going on for years since Kuching City was formed by the state government and having two mayors all this while, the two mayors have functioned very well and the system has been well served, so why change the system that has been well served?” he told reporters yesterday.
Kuching was granted city status on Aug 1, 1988. Besides MBKS, it encompasses Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) and Kuching City North Hall (DBKU). Hilmi had earlier inspected food shop toilets at Tabuan Tranquility Commercial Centre with other MBKS staff.
The issue of Kuching to have one mayor was raised during the recent two-day ‘City of Unity’ workshop, during which 1Malaysia Foundation chairman Dr Chandra Muzaffar said several groups had suggested having one Kuching City mayor.
Kuching North Datuk Bandar Datuk Abang Abdul Wahab Abang Julai was quoted to have agreed with the idea.
Hilmi pointed out that there was no justification for Kuching at the moment to have one mayor, saying that the issue is “very sensitive” which has to be looked into by the state government.
“Things have been going on well with the system (two mayors)…and personally, I don’t know the reason (for having one mayor),” he asserted.
At the function, Hilmi distributed brochures on how to keep the toilet clean.