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Dato Wee Hong SengAdvertisement
By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, June 11: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng has strongly rejected allegations that the council is neglecting its responsibilities while accumulating large financial reserves, describing the claims as misleading and based on a fundamental misunderstanding of municipal finance.
Speaking at a press conference at MBKS building today, Wee said critics had wrongly conflated restricted project funds with operational revenue, creating the false impression that the council is sitting on excess cash instead of delivering services.
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“It’s like mixing apples and oranges,” he said, referring to comparisons that treat project-specific funds as money available for day-to-day municipal operations.
Wee explained that a significant portion of the council’s reported revenue comprises government grants, development contributions and project-related funds that are legally restricted for specific purposes.
“These payments are not recurring income for daily municipal operations,” he stressed.
He added that the council’s reported surplus was largely boosted by one-off compensation received from the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) project rather than recurring operational income.
Wee noted that MBKS recorded expenditure of RM89.27 million against revenue of RM85.66 million in 2023, while projections for 2024 show expenditure of RM98.35 million compared with revenue of RM110.59 million.
He said maintaining healthy reserves is a key component of responsible financial management, enabling the council to fund long-term infrastructure projects, replace ageing assets, implement flood mitigation measures and upgrade public facilities.
“Financial prudence does not equal underperformance,” he said, adding that strong reserves help ensure consistent service delivery and long-term sustainability.
Wee also dismissed suggestions that the council’s reserves indicate neglect of municipal services, pointing to continued investments in infrastructure, flood mitigation, waste management, Smart City initiatives and sustainability programmes.
Beyond physical development, he said MBKS continues to support community well-being through its Child-Friendly and Age-Friendly City programmes, youth initiatives and public engagement efforts.
He argued that the effectiveness of a local authority should be measured by the quality of services delivered, infrastructure provided and outcomes achieved, rather than by simple annual comparisons of revenue and expenditure.
Among MBKS’s achievements, Wee highlighted its recognition as Sarawak’s first UNICEF Child-Friendly City, the MURNInets Mampan Award, a five-star local authority rating, and various accolades for sustainability, innovation and community development.
“These accomplishments underscore our dedication to sound governance, efficient service delivery and sustainable development,” he said.
Wee further criticised the Democratic Action Party (DAP) for allegedly misleading the public by portraying restricted project funds as general operational revenue.
He maintained that MBKS remains committed to balancing financial prudence with sustainable development and responsible service delivery.
“A financially strong council reflects responsible leadership, sound governance and long-term planning for the benefit of Kuching South,” he added. — DayakDaily
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