Sarawak BN component parties urged to submit names as council members

SIBU, Oct 10 (Bernama) — All Sarawak Barisan Nasional component parties have been urged to nominate candidates to represent their respective parties as members of the 26 local authorities (LA) to the state government this December.

Sarawak BN comprises Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP).

Minister of Local Government and Community Development Datuk Sri Wong Soon Koh said the list of candidates should be submitted to his ministry latest by Dec 20.

The Ministry of Local Authorities and Community Development was introduced to take over the functions of the Ministry of Environment and Public Health which previously was in charge of Local Authorities in the state at the cabinet reshuffle announced by Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud recently.

Speaking to reporters after presenting prizes of the 2011 Sarawak Local Authorities sports carnival here yesterday, Wong said the appointment of new council members would be made next year.

A total of 1,159 participants representing 25 local authorities throughout the state including the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development took part in the carnival from Oct 7-9.

Among those present were the Assistant Minister of Public Health Dr Jirip Susil and Sibu Municipality Council chairman, Datuk Tiong Thai King. –BERNAMA