| 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; andwell-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.  
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