Dr. Sim host appreciation dinner

suppadmin | January 17, 2020

The Ministry of Local Government and Housing hosted an appreciation dinner for the Ministry’s outgoing Permanent Secretary Datu Bakrie Zaini and the Deputy Permanent Secretary Madam Susan Loh who retired at the end of 2019. The event was held at the Grand Margherita Hotel on Monday night.

Local Government and Housing YB Dato Sri Prof Dr. Sim Kui Hian expressed his gratitude to both Datu Bakrie Zaini and Madam Susan Loh for the great contribution they have made while serving the Ministry. In appreciation, both of them received mementos from the Minister and Council Secretaries during the event.

Dr. Sim praised Bakrie and Susan for their work with the ministry, describing them as having vast experience in managing Local Authorities as both have more than 30 years’ experience in at Local Government level and also the State Civil Service. They were able to put their knowledge to enhance the administration of the local authorities and address the housing development needs issues in the State.

Their familiarity with the issues at hand has made the working relationship comfortable at all levels and making the implementation of Ministry initiatives and policies easier.

Datu Antonio Kathi Galis is now the new Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Housing beginning 2 January 2020. He was the former Director of Administration Unit of the Chief Minister’s Department. Datu Antonio also has a local authority background spanning 25 years. He joined the Miri Municipal Council as Assistant Secretary in 1985 and promoted to become the Municipal and City Secretary from 2002 until 2010 before moving to join the State Service as Miri Resident on 1 Nov 2010.

Also present during the dinner were the Minister’s wife Datin Sri Enn Ong Siok; YB Datu Dr. Penguang Manggil, the Assistant Minister for Local Government and Housing; Datu Antonio Kathi Galis, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary; Datu Bakrie Zaini and his wife Datin Aisah Eden; Mr. Adam Yii Siew Sang, Miri City Mayor, YB Ir Lo Khere Ching, Chairman of Padawan Municipal Council; Dato Peter Minos, Chairman of Kota Samarahan Municipal Council and Mr. Clarence Ting, Mayor of Sibu Municipal Council.