The 2022 ministerial-level Kumpulan Kreatif dan Inovatif (KIK) convention at the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government (MPHLG) saw the participation of 19 teams from all local councils across Sarawak as well as Housing Development Corporation showcasing their very own innovative products and services.
All of them aim to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of their operations within their respective organisations, and their service delivery towards their stakeholders.
Some have even incorporated characteristics of the latest digital technology such as the Internet of things (IoT) and digitalisation of specific services contained in indicators of global smart cities.
Take this year’s champion Kaul XI from Majlis Daerah Dalat dan Mukah. Their innovation, Trash Bin Sensors (TRASENS), aims to ensure a more systematic solid waste management operations, subsequently improving working environment for council staff, raising greater environmental cleanliness among locals, and guaranteeing a cleaner Mukah town.
Designed to tackle overflowing rubbish bins in the council’s jurisdiction, the innovative product features an application capable of detecting the load level of a bin at a predetermined rate.
When these bins reach full capacity, council staff will receive a signal from the application and contact the party responsible for collecting the load of rubbish.
“Themed ‘Innovation and Creativity Towards Sustainable Development Goals’, this year’s KIK convention is part of efforts to establish comprehensive and sustainable development and well-being… (which) is in line with the direction and goal of Sarawak’s smart city initiative,” wrote MPHLG in an email response to RAKAN Sarawak.
This was reiterated by Deputy Premier and Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government YB Dato Sri Professor Dr. Sim Kui Hian when closing the convention on 10 August 2022, noting that the theme was consistent with the ministry’s goal of aligning its innovation and quality initiatives to the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations General Assembly.
“It is also aligned with the aspiration of Sarawak’s Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, that by the year 2030, Sarawak will be a thriving society where everyone enjoys economic prosperity, social inclusivity and sustainable environment,” he added.
He also urged local councils and agencies under the supervision of MPHLG to “innovate, adapt, and improve” the quality and reach of their services continuously in order to meet the current demands and expectations of their stakeholders, in addition to contributing to the State’s socio-economic development.
“In doing so, Sarawak will naturally become more competitive, and the globalised landscape will reward us with more investment inflow, increased revenue stream and most importantly, a Sarawak that is more liveable and prosperous,” he explained.
Essentially, the MPHLG KIK convention serves as a platform or medium of recognition, appreciation and encouragement to local councils and agencies under the ministry’s supervision to present the results of innovation and creativity that have been worked on.
These results lead to resolutions of issues and problems identified in the service delivery process of participating teams, which will then be replicated for wider benefits and impact and further facilitate the work or operations of all councils and agencies.
“Participation in this convention also promotes the proliferation of ideas, learning, sharpening problem-solving techniques, knowledge sharing and value creation,” the ministry elaborated.
