PUTATAN: Local authorities form the essential third tier of government after Federal and State administrations, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam.
He said they (local authorities) play a key role in approving policies, developing commercial and housing sites and issuing business licenses.
Dr Joachim, who is also Local Government and Housing Minister, said this at the swearing-in ceremony for Putatan District Council’s 2025 – 2027 term held at the Pacific Sutera Harbour, here.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});He said the local authority’s expanded responsibilities include policy decision-making authority, oversight of commercial and residential development, business licensing administration and public sanitation and waste management systems.
On that note, he urged the incoming councillors to maintain absolute integrity in all decisions, adopt a hands-on approach to understand community needs and expedite service delivery through proactive measures.
Special recognition was given to outgoing council members for their contributions to Putatan’s development, with Dr. Joachim saying “Their initiatives and cooperation have laid important groundwork we must now build upon.”
Present were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya (Putatan MP), Petagas Assemblyman Datuk Awang Ahmad Sah and Putatan District Officer Masawi Hajij Salleh, among others.