DBKU to form children’s council, allow them to speak out on urbanisation devt issues

KUCHING (Oct 22): The Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) will form a children’s council as a platform for them to be involved in urbanisation development issues and voice their opinions and ideas, said the deputy minister in charge of DBKU Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi.

“They are our future leaders – what we leave to them now will shape their lives in the future. I’m sure our children have many more up-to-date and fresh ideas to create a safe, healthy and sustainable environment,” he said when closing the Sarawak Urban Forum 1.0 here today.

He also recommended other local authorities in Sarawak pay serious attention to the establishment and development of children’s councils in their respective areas, adding that with solid direction and KPIs, it would give lend it a strong impact.

Dr Abdul Rahman, who is also Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunication, said the Sarawak Urban Forum witnessed the participation of some 5,000 attendees for all the programmes held from Oct 19-20.

He said the forum addressed aspects of urbanisation and sustainability, including tackling urbanisation challenges, promoting sustainable urbanisation, confronting climate change and catalysing sustainable and resilient urban development.

“This helps to create a culture of sustainability and encourages stakeholders to take action towards sustainable development,” he added.

He said one of the most interesting topics was ‘Child-Friendly Cities: Ensuring Safe, Inclusive and Healthy Urban Environments for Children’, which coincided with DBKU’s aim to establish its children’s council.

According to him, a presentation by Tomonori Hiroike from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government on Tokyo Green Biz was made as a benchmark for DBKU and other local authorities to emulate.

“Launched in 2023, the Tokyo Green Biz has three areas of focus – protect, cultivate and utilise. It is a 100-year initiative that aspires to promote green infrastructure, including creating and conserving greenery at every turn in the city, while learning from the past to shape the future.

“What strikes us regarding the initiative is the long-term commitment – imagine planning for a 100 years ahead. It is hoped agencies in Sarawak, specifically local authorities, can emulate this wishful and positive initiative,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kuching North Datuk Bandar Dato Hilmy Othman said DBKU plans to turn Kuching into a low-carbon city in line with the Sarawak government’s direction in driving sustainable socioeconomic development by 2030.

“(This is) in addition to being the best city in Malaysia and around the world in aspects of conservation and preservation of the environment. The main goal of DBKU in making Kuching a low-carbon city is reducing the intensity of carbon emissions and at the same time, provide basic development in the city to increase local economic generation, reduce the impact on the environment and improve the quality of life of city residents.

“It is my great hope the initiatives planned by DBKU and other agencies will open a new chapter in an effort to make Kuching city a low-carbon city,” he said.