By BERNAMA / Pic By MUHD AMIN NAHARUL

A TOTAL 119 out of 152 local authorities have received four-star ratings and above through the Local Authorities Star Rating System (SPB-PBT) evaluation carried out nationwide last year.

Housing and Local Government Deputy Minister Datuk Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah Raja Ahmad Baharuddin Shah (picture) said of the 331 evaluation indicators currently used in the system, 50 were in line with the 17 goals outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030.

“The achievements are in line with the SDGs, among which is to eradicate poverty in all forms and in all areas, and ensuring access to water supply and sanitation for all, and for townships and settlements to be inclusive and sustainable,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat when replying to Sivakumar Varatharaju Naidu (DAP-Batu Gajah) who wanted to know efforts taken by the government to ensure local authorities are meeting international service standards.

Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah said the local government department has also established guidelines to be adopted by local authorities and they include the grading of eateries, wet market management and guidelines on chicken slaughterhouses to ensure areas under their jurisdiction are free from disease and pollution.

Meanwhile, he said up to June this year, a total of 7,162 People’s Housing Project units have been sold to eligible applicants, while another 715 applications were being processed. — Bernama