KUCHING – The Kuching South City Council (MBKS) has been officially recognised as a Candidate City under UNICEF’s Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI), marking a significant milestone in Sarawak’s commitment to child-centred urban development.
The recognition ceremony, held at the MBKS Lobby on Thursday, was officiated by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, who praised MBKS for its leadership and dedication to creating a safer, more inclusive environment for children.
Dr Sim noted that the achievement reflects not only the initiative of Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng, but also the collective efforts of councillors, officers, community partners, and UNICEF Malaysia, which has provided technical support since 2022.
“A child-friendly city is one where children can grow, feel safe, dream big and have opportunities to thrive. As a government, we have a duty to ensure that no child is left behind, especially the most vulnerable,” he said.
Dato Wee highlighted that MBKS is proud to be the first local council in Sarawak, Borneo, and Malaysia to take the bold step toward full CFCI designation. He added that the council is joining a global movement dedicated to upholding children’s rights in urban spaces.
The initiative is closely aligned with Sarawak’s Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), which emphasises holistic human capital development and building a caring, inclusive society.
Dr Sim also announced that the State Government will support six other local councils that have signed agreements with UNICEF to achieve full CFCI status next year. This expansion is expected to strengthen Sarawak’s position as a leader in child-focused governance.
In addition to the recognition, Dr Sim shared updates on Sarawak’s growing reputation in global research. He revealed that the state has emerged as the leading region for first-in-human cancer drug trials, showcasing world-class expertise and innovation.
The ceremony concluded with a formal signing led by Dr Sim, Mayor Dato Wee, and UNICEF Malaysia Representative Robert Gass, witnessed by Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah and Deputy Mayor Dato Zaiedi Suhaili.
Observers note that Kuching’s recognition under CFCI sets a precedent for other councils in Malaysia, positioning Sarawak as a pioneer in integrating child-friendly principles into urban planning and governance.
