KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Mahadi Che Ngah, the newly appointed Kuala Lumpur mayor, has mammoth tasks awaiting him, from addressing infrastructure woes to stamping out political interference in City Hall’s affairs.
Given this, said local government and environmental law expert Derek Fernandez, it is hoped that Mahadi will put the people first.
“I hope and believe that KL residents wish that the new mayor is a mayor for all KL residents, and not a mayor for politicians and other interests.
“I hope the new mayor will take this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to correct or mitigate the impact of some of the serious wrongs of the past, however difficult that may be.”
The Petaling Jaya City Council councillor said Mahadi will face a “clear lack of democratisation and fair public participation” in planning and development control processes.
He called the draft KL City Plan a “sham”, and the draft KL Structure Plan 2040 “erroneous”.
He pointed out the federal capital’s massive infrastructure problems and the billions spent on “wasted” projects that have done little to put a stop to flooding and other issues.
Derek highlighted the legacy of political and business interference in Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and the mayor’s functions.
The lawyer by training said the issues surrounding Kg Baru remain unresolved, and the destruction of Bukit Gasing – renamed Bukit Kerinchi on the Kuala Lumpur side of the border – poses a challenge to Mahadi.
He also noted plans to develop Bukit Persekutuan and other public land, including areas belonging to DBKL.
Well-equipped to run City Hall
It was reported that former DBKL planning executive director Mahadi came out of retirement to take up the mayor’s post for two years.
His appointment was announced by Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa, taking over from Datuk Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan.
Derek said he hopes the new mayor will work “without fear or favour”.
“The most important thing the new mayor can do is to carry out his duties with integrity, without fear or favour, and to stop listening to the bad advice of those with vested interests.”
Emphasising the need for a mayor who is “truly for the people”, he said there is no doubt that Mahadi has the skills and knowledge to run DBKL.
Mahadi has “considerable years of experience” in the organisation and dealing with previous Federal Territories ministers, he said. – The Vibes, October 2, 2020
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