Bau District Council rockets from 63rd to fifth nationwide

BAU: The Bau District Council has pulled off a remarkable turnaround, surging 58 places to rank fifth among 92 district councils nationwide in the 2026 Star Rating System for Local Authorities (SPB-PBT).

Its 91.61 per cent score also earned the council a five-star rating, making it the top-ranked district council in Sarawak.

The latest result marks a significant improvement from 2024, when the council ranked 63rd nationally with a score of 86.17 per cent.

Deputy Minister for Transport (Maritime and Riverine) Datuk Henry Harry Jinep said the achievement reflected the council’s efforts to strengthen its administration, governance and service delivery.

The Tasik Biru assemblyman said the SPB-PBT, an assessment conducted by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT), measured the performance of local authorities nationwide using a standardised star-rating system.

“The Bau District Council’s 91.61 per cent score comprised 12.13 out of 15 per cent for management, 41.50 out of 45 per cent for core services, 14.17 out of 15 per cent for customer management and 13.83 out of 15 per cent for community participation.

“The council also secured full marks for the Public Service Corruption Ranking (PSCR) and the Auditor-General’s clean certificate.

“The assessment is aimed at evaluating local authority performance fairly, encouraging healthy competition among councils and improving the quality of public services delivered to communities,” he said at a press conference here on Monday (Oct 5).

Under the rating system, scores of 90 to 100 per cent earn five stars, while scores of 75 to 89.99 per cent, 60 to 74.99 per cent, 46 to 59.99 per cent and below 45.99 per cent receive four, three, two and one star respectively.

Henry said the council’s achievement was the result of a collective effort involving its councillors, management and staff, with all parties committed to improving governance, administration and service delivery.

He said the council would not rest on its five-star rating, but would continue reviewing its performance and taking public feedback into account.

“Public complaints should not be regarded as negative but as valuable feedback to help identify shortcomings and areas requiring improvement.”

The five-star rating was awarded during the 2026 Malaysian Local Authorities Convention at Bertam Resort, Seberang Perai, Penang, on Sept 12.