(Kuching, 25th) The 2026 Sarawak Local Government (PBT) Conference will be held from July 6th to 7th at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching, aiming to become an important platform to strengthen governance, enhance a culture of integrity, and accelerate the transformation of local government services in response to the public's increasingly high service expectations.
Datuk Juanda Jaya, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Integrity and Ombudsman), stated that this conference is planned as a strategic platform, gathering local government leaders, industry experts, scholars, and relevant agencies to jointly exchange experiences, share best practices, and explore new solutions to enhance public service.
He pointed out that the conference will also focus on topics such as good governance, building a culture of integrity, responsible financial management, digital transformation of services, and strengthening cooperation between Sarawak's local governments and other local governments nationwide.
"Most importantly, we want to ensure that local governments keep up with the times, remain resilient, and are capable of meeting the public's expectations for high-quality services," he said in a recent interview with Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS).
Juanda stated that the theme of this year's conference is "Local Government Transformation: Towards High-Impact Service Delivery Based on Integrity," emphasizing that successful transformation depends not just on technology and systems, but more crucially on establishing a work culture centered on integrity.
He said that nowadays, the public not only demands faster services but also expects the service process to be more transparent, fair, and trustworthy.
"Integrity is the foundation of all transformation work. Even with sound systems and procedures, if integrity is lacking, public confidence cannot be sustained," he said.
He pointed out that the conference will revolve around eight key areas, including financial management, integrity and accountability, service digitalization, smart city development, complaint management, diversification of income sources, and the role of auditing in strengthening local government governance.
He said the invited keynote speakers come from various fields, including the Auditor General’s Office, Sarawak Accountant General’s Office, Sarawak Ombudsman, Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), National Financial Crime Centre (NFCC), urban planning experts, and representatives from local governments that have successfully promoted transformation programs.
“In addition, Subang Jaya Municipal Council, Taiping Municipal Council, Ipoh City Council, Petaling Jaya City Council, as well as high-performing local governments in Sarawak such as North Kuching City Hall and South Kuching City Council will also share their experiences.”
He stated that this diverse participation will enable attendees to gain more hands-on experience and best practice cases, which can be applied to their own organizations.
The conference is open to all local government personnel, including local councillors, civil servants, statutory body staff, academics, students, researchers, industry players, and anyone interested in urban development and public service.
Juanda urged those who have not yet registered to seize the opportunity to participate, noting that the conference not only facilitates knowledge exchange and expanding professional networks, but can also inspire institutional reform.
"The Sarawak government hopes to see more innovative, forward-looking, integrity-driven, efficient, and responsive local governments, better able to meet the needs of the people."
"I believe that participants will not only bring back new knowledge and new contacts, but also be motivated to drive substantive reforms, creating a stronger local government system for the welfare of the people of Sarawak," he said.
He pointed out that the conference will also focus on topics such as good governance, building a culture of integrity, responsible financial management, digital transformation of services, and strengthening cooperation between Sarawak's local governments and other local governments nationwide.
"Most importantly, we want to ensure that local governments keep up with the times, remain resilient, and are capable of meeting the public's expectations for high-quality services," he said in a recent interview with Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS).
Juanda stated that the theme of this year's conference is "Local Government Transformation: Towards High-Impact Service Delivery Based on Integrity," emphasizing that successful transformation depends not just on technology and systems, but more crucially on establishing a work culture centered on integrity.
He said that nowadays, the public not only demands faster services but also expects the service process to be more transparent, fair, and trustworthy.
"Integrity is the foundation of all transformation work. Even with sound systems and procedures, if integrity is lacking, public confidence cannot be sustained," he said.
He pointed out that the conference will revolve around eight key areas, including financial management, integrity and accountability, service digitalization, smart city development, complaint management, diversification of income sources, and the role of auditing in strengthening local government governance.
He said the invited keynote speakers come from various fields, including the Auditor General’s Office, Sarawak Accountant General’s Office, Sarawak Ombudsman, Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), National Financial Crime Centre (NFCC), urban planning experts, and representatives from local governments that have successfully promoted transformation programs.
“In addition, Subang Jaya Municipal Council, Taiping Municipal Council, Ipoh City Council, Petaling Jaya City Council, as well as high-performing local governments in Sarawak such as North Kuching City Hall and South Kuching City Council will also share their experiences.”
He stated that this diverse participation will enable attendees to gain more hands-on experience and best practice cases, which can be applied to their own organizations.
The conference is open to all local government personnel, including local councillors, civil servants, statutory body staff, academics, students, researchers, industry players, and anyone interested in urban development and public service.
Juanda urged those who have not yet registered to seize the opportunity to participate, noting that the conference not only facilitates knowledge exchange and expanding professional networks, but can also inspire institutional reform.
"The Sarawak government hopes to see more innovative, forward-looking, integrity-driven, efficient, and responsive local governments, better able to meet the needs of the people."
"I believe that participants will not only bring back new knowledge and new contacts, but also be motivated to drive substantive reforms, creating a stronger local government system for the welfare of the people of Sarawak," he said.