KUCHING CITY

Kuching was officially inaugurated as a city on August 1, 1988 after having met certain procedures and prerequisites.

The application for Kuching to be elevated to city status was made at the behest of the people. The petition was made by the Chairman of the KMC to the Minister responsible for Local Government, who motioned for a resolution pertaining to the matter. Thus on July 18, 1984 the Resolution was passed at the Dewan Undangan Negeri. Both the petition and Resolution were given the assent of the Yang Di–Pertua Negeri  in October, 1985. Thereafter, they were submitted to the Conference of Rulers for consideration, by the Prime Minister. On July 3, 1986 the Resolution was approved after the Conference of Rulers was satisfied that certain prerequisites were met.

For a town to become a city, they must have these qualities :

• financial independence in management and development;
• centre of trade and commerce for its immediate area and for nearby towns;
• sources of inspiration for development for the surrounding areas as evidenced by rapid economic growth, number of financial institutions, population and built-up areas;
• Big in area and population compared to the whole state;
• administrative centre of the State and well–known for its efficiency;
• historical important tourist destination;
• centre of arts, culture, literature, official celebrations, sports and athletic activities of national standard;
• Beautiful gardens;
• higher institutions of higher learning, of international standard;
• well–known research centers; and
• well-established library.

ADMINISTRATION OF THE CITY

The city of Kuching is divided into 2 areas: north and south. Each of these is administered by a Datuk Bandar–a Commissioner for Kuching North and a Mayor for Kuching South.

Kuching City South largely covers the area previously under the Kuching Municipal Council (KMC). As it is still a local government authority, its powers and functions as conferred by the KMC Ordinance are maintained with minor changes.

Kuching City North refers to a significant part of the territory formerly administered by the Kuching Rural District Council (KRDC). It also includes a part of the former KMC area. As it is not a local authority, Kuching City North is placed under the jurisdiction of a Commissioner who is assisted by a Board of Advisors. The Commissioner is a corporate body directly responsible to the State’s Chief Minister. The powers and functions of the Commissioner are contained in the Kuching City North Ordinance, which is closely modelled on that of Kuching City South.

The city’s twin administration was born out of the need for an efficient system which would allow for a balanced development and population distribution for the two territories. It will also ensure that Kuching City South will not be hampered by the added responsibilities of developing Kuching City North, which had been under the KRDC jurisdiction.

INSTALLATION OF THE FIRST TWO DATUK BANDAR

On August 1, 1988 two prominent sons of Sarawak, Dr Yusoff Hanifah and Encik Song Swee Guan, were accorded the distinguished honour of being appointed by the Yang Di-Pertua Negeri as the first Commissioner of Kuching City North and the first Mayor of Kuching City South, respectively.