THE Ministry of Local Government and Community Development has embarked on several initiatives to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery systems in its bid to transform the local authorities.

Its minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh said the initiatives taken were in line with the State Civil Service (SCS 10-20) Transformation Plan.

“My ministry’s Strategic Plan and Balanced Score Card shall focus on Five Key Result Areas namely service delivery, human capital and leadership, policy and legislations, financial management and community development,” he said during his winding-up speech for his ministry at the State Legislative Assembly here yesterday.

The Bawang Assan assemblyman explained that under the five strategic thrusts, his ministry had embarked on several key focus areas (KFAs) to enhance and harmonise work processes and procedures by leveraging on the expertise from various sectors of the government and at the same time identifying other initiatives to continually improve the services sector of the local authorities.

“All the local authorities under my charge have embarked on the strategic plan and balanced score card which are being monitored closely by my ministry and its progress shall be reported accordingly to the secretariat set up at my ministry and thereafter to the secretariat in the Chief Minister’s Department.

“To ensure smooth implementation of the strategic plan and balanced score card and all other quality environment initiatives, my ministry has also mobilised a team to assist all the local authorities as and when necessary.”

Wong highlighted that amongst the initiatives were the year-round community development activities which are estimated to cost RM2.75 million and which would benefit the general public.

Through these initiatives, his ministry hoped to create greater public engagement and instil the spirit of neighbourliness in this multi-cultural and multi religious state.

In terms of development projects, he disclosed that the state government had approved a total allocation of RM46.80 million this year for 23 local authorities under the purview of his ministry to implement 122 development projects such as upgrading and improvement works on roads, drains, public toilets, waste management projects, markets/hawker centres, car parks, community halls, footpaths and bus sheds.

In addition, the Local Government and Community Development Ministry had also received an allocation of RM37.79 million this year from the federal Ministry of Housing and Local Government for 26 local authorities in the state to implement a total of 201 projects.

“Out of this sum, RM35.95 million is for the implementation of various minor infrastructure projects and environmental health programmes such as vector control programme and others.

“Apart from that, my ministry has also received an allocation of RM3.018 million this year for the improvement and upgrading of roads, drains, handrails, fencing and high mast lighting for three low cost flats namely PPR Taman Harmoni, PPR Taman Malihah and PPR Matang Kot under the National Blue Ocean Strategy 7: My Beautiful Neighbourhood.”

Meanwhile, Wong said in view of the additional roles and responsibilities entrusted to the local councils and councillors to actively engage and develop the local communities, the state government had revised and increased the allowances and privileges accorded to councillors which would take effect on June 1 this year.

“With this revision for example, the fixed allowances for chairman of municipal council and divisional district council (Walikota) have been increased to RM4,915 and RM3,360 respectively, which are equivalent to the salary of government officers of Grade N48 and N44 respectively.

“In addition to this, and among other allowances that have been revised for councillors include increase in meeting allowance from RM50 to RM100 per meeting (subject to a maximum of RM700 per month for city and municipal councils and RM900 per quarter for the district councils, increase in functions allowance from RM25 to RM50 per function as well as other privileges equivalent to government officers of Grade N41.”

Wong said the composition of councillors would also be reviewed when the time comes.

“For the information of this august house, the tenure of office of the present appointed councillors shall be extended to Dec 31 this year.”

( Source : Borneo Post Online , 29 May 2013 )