BUKIT MERTAJAM – The new faces in Seberang Prai City Council will be tasked with ensuring that the mainland will remain the area for growth in the northern corridor economic region.
After the swearing-in of the city councillors, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said he expects the council to continue to be business friendly in expediting approvals for the development of Batu Kawan as it is the new free industrial zone after Bayan Lepas on the island.
He added that the council has plans to replace its fleet of old trucks and has sought approval from the Finance Ministry to obtain a loan from commercial banks to fund the purchase.
MBSP is undergoing a shake-up with new council president Datuk Azhar Arshad assuming office earlier this week.
Azhar, in his speech, urged the councillors, heads of department and the staff to work together to achieve the state’s goal of making Seberang Prai a sustainable city.
Four new councillors are K. Tharani of DAP, Ahmad Tarmizi Jusoh of Amanah, R. Delakan, who is a representative from Leadership and Professionalism Society, and Jeffery Koay Kai Chin from Penang Chinese Town Hall.
They took their oath yesterday with 20 others. The council now has a total of 24 councillors – 10 from DAP, PKR (9), Amanah (2), and three from civil society groups.
Jason Raj of DAP, Mohd Saifullah Abd Nasir of Amanah, and Harryzan Yaakub and Tan Bee Hong from non-governmental organisations were dropped. They served for one year before their term ended on December 31.
Also present at the ceremony were state Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo, state Welfare and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh and state Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee. – The Vibes, January 8, 2022
