Gazetting two bylaws a major boost: DCM
Published on: Saturday, January 13, 2024
By: Hayati Dzulkifli
"I am confident this can produce a guideline that not only meets the needs of stakeholders but also create a more transparent and sustainable development model in Sabah,” Joachim said.
Kota Kinabalu: The gazetting of two by-laws last October – the Uniform Trade, Business and Industrial Premises Use Licensing By-law and the Uniform Food Establishment By-law – is a significant leap in empowering and strengthening the administration system of local authorities, thus increasing their revenue.
State Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam said his Ministry is committed to ensuring the vision and target can be implemented successfully through the agencies involving the 25 Local Authorities (PBTs) in Sabah, the Sabah Housing and Urban Development Board (LPPB), the Urban and Regional Planning Department (JPBW) and Department of Native Affairs (Jheans).
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“This is in addition to efforts between my Ministry and the Malaysian Productivity Corporation (MPC) to coordinate and standardise the process and guidelines for the application and approval of Building Plans and Development Plans in Sabah.
"I am confident this can produce a guideline that not only meets the needs of stakeholders but also create a more transparent and sustainable development model in Sabah,” he said, recently.
The Ministry has also produced an application guideline for the exemption of tender procedures and quotations at the PBT level by taking the views, recommendations and suggestions from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
These guidelines are to ensure that every decision is clear, organised and transparent in line with the standards of ethical values and governance with integrity.
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“My Ministry is also in the process of updating all the ‘Standing Orders’ to ensure that proceedings or operations of the PBTs run smoothly and efficiently in line with the latest developments.
“The updating will also involve consequential changes or amendments to the main law which is the Local Government Ordinance 1961 to harmonise the entire legal structure for more effective and efficient governance,” said Joachim, who is also a Deputy Chief Minister.
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The uniform bylaws in the process of being gazetted are the Uniform Public Vehicle Parking By-law 2022 and the Uniform Earthworks By-law 2022.
The Ministry will also make amendments to the Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Amendment 2023 Enactment approved in the State Assembly (DUN) on Aug. 10.
It would examine and review improvements to current procedures and regulations related to housing projects in Sabah together with stakeholders.
In line with Sabah Maju Jaya’s direction towards the digitalisation of services, the Ministry is also in the process of digitalising some local government services which aim to improve efficiency while increasing local government income.
In collaboration with the KKTP, the Digital Government Division, and the State Computer Department, four local authorities would be involved in a pilot project to implement ePBT.
The Ministry would continue some past programs, namely:
a. Landscape development program and I-Green;
b. Development of infrastructure and public facilities in PBT areas;
c. Solid waste management;
d. Planning and development of new cities / townships;
e. Housing planning and development focused on Low-Cost Homes and Affordable Homes;
f. Land Use Planning and Local Plan preparation;
g. Community Empowerment in PBT;
h. Strengthening and strengthening the administration and management of the Native Court; and
i. Take actions to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with the preparation of SDGs Road Map in Local Authorities. Among the PBTs that will be involved in the presentation of the Volunteer Local Review (VLR) are the Sandakan Municipal Council and the Kota Belud District Council.
The Ministry also planned to ensure matters related to improvement and strengthening of service excellence through:
i) The creation of a Smart City Committee for the preparation of Sabah’s Smart City Blueprint. This is in line with KPKT’s request;
ii). Strengthening Local Authority Enforcement;
iii) The target is to reach a sustainable level in the Malaysian Urban-Rural National Indicators Network for Sustainable Development. An approach that can measure and evaluate the sustainability of a city and its associated areas through the use of city indicators;
d. Achievement of at least three Stars and Above Local Authority Star Rating;
E. Strengthening the Role of Urban Community Committees (JKDB) in Sabah through efforts to introduce community programs. This matter will be submitted to obtain additional allocations later; and
F. Submit applications for the People’s Housing Program (PPR) to KPKT.
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