Kuching: Government grants received by MBKS are generally earmarked for specific projects and cannot be freely utilised for other expenditure. These grants are intended to be spent in accordance with their approved scope of work, implementation schedule, and purpose.
Given the nature of MBKS’s responsibilities, these grants are typically utilised for relatively smaller-scale projects, such as upgrading residential drains, backlanes, public markets, hawker centres, and other municipal infrastructure.
Larger infrastructure projects, such as major drainage schemes or roadworks, are usually undertaken by agencies such as JKR or DID. As such, government grants would generally not constitute a significant portion of MBKS’ current accumulated reserves.
This raises an important public interest question. If MBKS now has reserves of approximately RM300 million, then it is reasonable to expect that the council possesses substantial financial resources to carry out its statutory responsibilities and improve basic public infrastructure.
With reserves of this magnitude, MBKS can no longer rely on a lack of funding as the default explanation for delaying essential maintenance and upgrading works.
No one is suggesting that MBKS should deplete its reserves on large-scale infrastructure projects. Rather, the question is why relatively modest but essential works continue to be delayed.
Residents have repeatedly raised issues such as damaged council drains, deteriorating backlanes, and other basic infrastructure, only to be told that MBKS has to wait for additional funding before action can be taken.
One clear example is the dilapidated drains at Lorong Kedandi 2. Between September 2023 and December 2024, I repeatedly highlighted the urgent need for repairs. The explanation given was that MBKS had to apply for funding before the works could proceed. Eventually, the repairs were only carried out after the Federal Ministry of Housing and Local Government provided funding.
This naturally raises an important question. If MBKS already had substantial reserves, why were those funds not utilised to undertake these urgent repairs?
Why should residents have to wait for external funding when the council itself appears to have the financial capacity to address many of these issues?
This is not about criticising MBKS for maintaining healthy reserves. Sound financial management is important. However, prudent financial management must be balanced against the council’s primary responsibility of delivering timely and effective public services. Public funds should ultimately be used to improve the quality of life of the ratepayers who contributed them.
I therefore urge MBKS to be transparent about how it prioritises the use of its reserves and to make greater use of its available resources to improve the basic infrastructure that residents rely upon every day.
Greater accountability and transparency will strengthen public confidence and demonstrate the council’s commitment to delivering the services people rightfully expect.
Michael Kong Feng Nian
Special Assistant to Stampin MP and ADUN for Padungan, YB Chong Chieng Jen
4 July 2026
