Minister: Elevation of sub-districts into full districts requires thorough evaluation

KUCHING (Nov 18): The proposal to upgrade the sub-districts of Balingian and Padawan into full districts requires thorough evaluation through several key considerations, said Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai.

He said among the factors to be assessed are the geographical size and economic potential of the aforementioned areas.

“Sub-districts should have areas that are large enough and have high potential to contribute to economic activities.

“They should also be capable of contributing to official activities such as being able to have sufficient revenues, and also able to improve the efficiency of (government) services,” he said in his ministerial winding-up speech.

He was responding to questions from Abdul Yakub Arbi (GPS-Balingian) and Dr Simon Sinang Bada (GPS-Tebedu).

Sikie highlighted that other criteria that need to be taken account include high population densities, as well as other considerations deemed suitable by the state government from time to time.