Friday, July 3, 2015

New mayor aims to sweep clean - The Malaysian Insider

Jul 2, 2015 BY ISTA KYRA SHARMUGAM


The city's cleanliness is a main concern, says Ipoh's new mayor, Zamri Man.
On his first day in office at 8am today, Zamri said the Ipoh City Council (MBI) was not unlike other local authorities with the same functions and responsibilities, such as the maintenance of parks and drainage systems and management of waste.
“The city's tourism and development are also primary concerns,” he told reporters at a press conference this morning.
When asked if he was aware of complaints against MBI, pertaining to the revised annual assessment rates, Zamri said he was attending to the issue after getting feedback from MBI's advisers. 
"The rates are a form of income for the council and the hike was introduced after taking into account factors such as increased use of space and conversion of designated zones into something else.
"The public need to understand that in order to receive good service, funds are needed,” he said.
He added that he was not averse to dialogues with non-governmental organisations and civil society groups to generate feedback and ideas.
“The participation of all parties is required to solve local issues. Currently, MBI is in touch with residents’ associations and reaching out through the councillors and various committees," he said.
He said he hoped in a year to improve the city, in terms of cleanliness and other criteria set under the state government's Amanjaya policy.
Among the youngest of the city’s previous nine mayors, Zamri acknowledged that he had a huge task ahead.
"I hope MBI’s more experienced personnel will be make up for my lack of experience in terms of years in civil service.
"After all, it is teamwork that produces results," he said.
He later met MBI department heads and councillors in a closed door meeting.

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