RANAU: The Ranau District Council Members for the 2025-2027 session were sworn in during a ceremony officiated by Deputy Chief Minister II and Minister of Local Government and Housing of Sabah, Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam at the Perkasa Kundasang Hotel, Thursday.
Dr Joachim reminded them that the role of council members is not merely symbolic, but is the mainstay of the policies and actions of local authorities (PBT).
“You are ‘councillors’ to the Third Tier Government, playing an important role in the well-being of the local community.”
He also stressed that as a third tier government, PBT has its own power and every decision made must be scrutinized with full responsibility and based on the public interest.
“From premises licensing, development plans, revenue control to technical approvals – all of them have a direct impact on the people. We need efficiency and transparency in every action,” he said.
In the context of development, Dr Joachim said, coherence between all departments is very important so that planned development not only meets economic needs but is also sustainable in terms of the environment and the welfare of the people.
According to him, small towns such as Ranau and Kundasang are now also facing the challenges of urbanisation as experienced by other areas in Sabah and Malaysia in general.
“The District Council needs to be progressive, formulate policies that are investor-friendly, people-friendly and far-sighted so Ranau continues to develop sustainably,” he said.
He stressed that the appointment of this line of council members is hoped to strengthen the integrity of the administration and accelerate strategic decisions at the local level.
He called on all Council Members to carry out the trust given with full responsibility, professionalism and integrity.
“Do not waste the trust that has been given. I believe that, with the cooperation of all parties, Ranau will continue to progress as a district that develops inclusively,” he said.
Also present were the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Datuk Dr. Jamili Nais; appointed Assemblyman, Datuk Amisah Yasin; Ranau District Officer, Tinus Manggam; Ranau District Council Executive Officer, Elmer Endra M. Sator; representative of Ranau Member of Parliament Louis Sinti; representative of Karanaan Assemblyman, Datuk Faimin Kamin; representative of Paginatan Assemblyman, Hishamuddin Harun; OKK District Head Muhasip Haji Roman and OKK Dominic Ghanie.
