KUCHING – The southern section of Heping Road received special attention this week as Dato Wee Hong Seng, Mayor of Kuching South City Council (MBKS), visited the neighbourhood to engage directly with residents and observe daily life in the area.
The mayor emphasised that community visits are an essential part of his role, allowing him to understand issues that cannot be fully appreciated from behind a desk. “What I enjoy most is doing things like today, coming to the community, listening to people’s thoughts, and seeing how everyone is doing,” he said.
Although the southern section of Heping Road is modest in size, the mayor described it as a vital part of Kuching’s social fabric. He noted that while the houses may be older, the area is rich in neighbourly ties and hard-working families who contribute quietly to the city’s resilience.
Acknowledging the challenges faced by residents in older neighbourhoods, Dato Wee pointed out that small but significant issues such as street lighting, drainage, and waste management directly affect quality of life. He stressed that MBKS has a duty to address these concerns systematically.
The mayor outlined three guiding principles for his administration. Firstly, he pledged to listen attentively to community voices, ensuring that feedback is not ignored. Secondly, he committed to taking concrete action, with plans to improve infrastructure such as streetlights and public spaces already included in this year’s agenda.
Thirdly, he reaffirmed his belief in treating all communities equally, stating that development should not be concentrated only in high-profile areas but extended to every neighbourhood.
“The city belongs to everyone,” he remarked, adding that the future of Kuching depends on cooperation between government and residents. He expressed confidence that with collective effort, the city will continue to improve year after year.
During the visit, the Jiuhuang Palace Council extended support to the community by distributing household essentials. Each family received a bag of rice, a bag of sugar, two tangerines, and a red envelope, a gesture warmly welcomed by residents.
The mayor’s visit reflects MBKS’s broader commitment to community-centred governance, where attention to everyday issues is seen as fundamental to building trust and fostering a sense of belonging among citizens.
