GOOD PRACTICES: Suhaimy (third right) presents a Quality Environment Practices (5S) certificate to Lai. Also seen from second left are Nansian, Penguang and Antonio.
MIRI: Ten local authorities will begin implementing the Electronic Local Authority System 2 (eLA2) by the end of this year, while the remaining nine will start its implementation next year.
Minister of Local Government and Community Development Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh said the new information communication technology (ICT) system is part of the state’s efforts to transform local authorities in terms of structure, system, processes, as well as human and financial resources.
“By 2015, our aspiration is for all councils in Sarawak to be using eLA2 in their daily operations. We are also planning for the development of a Geographical Information System (GIS) mapping system in eLA2 where real time zones, areas and maps can be used to interoperate with daily functions such as identification of epidemic or food poisoning zones, traffic-congested areas and owner properties.
“The same system can be used for the benefit of the public through utilising the convenience of home or hand-held devices,” he stated in his speech for the launching of eLA2 yesterday, which was read by Assistant Minister of Community Services Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie.
Wong called eLA2 an exciting revamp of a number of software systems, which are currently being used by local authorities.
The project, which was approved by the Sarawak Information Technology and Resources Councils (SITRC) in 2009, was implemented by the Miri City Council (MCC) on April 9 and will subsequently be implemented by the Samarahan District Council.
It is a statewide interconnected system that harmonises and standardises the core business procedures councils.
It was developed to address various shortcomings faced by local authorities such as a lack of data sharing, not conforming to documentation and process records requirements set by auditors as well outdated protocols to control the provision of discreet and sensitive information to third parties.
“The eLA2 is also dynamic, electrifying and will always evolve with developments in new technology. It is user-driven and the most up-to-date software of its kind in terms of council management in Sarawak right now.
“It keeps a record of every action and the action of each party involved with the council’s daily operation and hence, ensures that the integrity of sensitive data is protected. This is very much in line with the security protocols set up by Information Communication Technology Unit (ICTU) particularly concerning
sensitive data, as well as
meeting all necessary requirements for auditing purposes,” said Wong.
The eLA2 system covers areas such as billing, finance and accounting, human resource, payroll and miscellaneous bills.
It would expedite billing and collection services thus eliminate redundant processes in decision making.
All data will be stored in a data centre in Kuching where there is 24-hour surveillance and monitoring by personnel.
Among those present were Miri Mayor Lawrence Lai, Ministry Local Government and Community Development permanent secretary Dr Penguang Manggil, Miri Resident Antonio Kahti Galis and Malaysia Productivity Corporation director Suhaimy Abd Talib.