Dr Sim (left) presents an award to a recipient, witnessed by Penguang (second left), Bakrie (second right) and others.

KUCHING: The Local Government and Housing Ministry, through local councils, is embarking on a smart technology drive to provide better services and safety for the people.

Its minister Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian said the technology involves Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence which will work round the clock.

“As the state is moving forward to becoming a developed state and high-income society, it is very important that local councils be at their best.

“So the ministry is taking the smart technology initiative to work for the state to provide better services and ensure the safety of the people,” he said at excellent service awards (APC) presentation ceremony, here yesterday.

Dr Sim cited countries like Singapore whose crime rate has dropped drastically due to the adoption of smart technology, ultimately benefitting the people there. He also pointed out that local councils also should learn from China on how the country has transformed, and hoped its officers would capitalise on the present good relationship between the state and China by making working visits to the country.

Meanwhile, Local Government and Housing Ministry permanent secretary Datu Bakrie Zaini in his speech said it was high time for local councils to have ‘stand alone or self-reliance’ programmes in remote areas.

He acknowledged that several remote areas were not covered with the services of local councils due to limited accessibility.

“We cannot deprive the people in remote areas of our services, so it is time to revise our programme to provide them with the necessary services,” he said.

The ceremony saw 276 employees from the ministry, Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID), Sewerage Service Department and 23 local councils receive their excellent service awards.

Among those present were Local Government and Housing Assistant Minister Datu Penguang Manggil, Kuching City mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng, Padawan Municipal Council chairman Lo Khere Chiang and Kota Samarahan District Council chairman Dato Peter Minos.