GEORGE TOWN – The Penang government appointed 48 councillors for both the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and the Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) here today.
Nine new councillors were elected, three of whom are in MBPP and six in MBSP.
From the nine, six are from non-governmental organisations – the most ever appointed from civil society.
The new recruits representing MBPP are all from NGOs, namely Lee Chee How (Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce), Shahul Hameed Syed Mohamed (Liga Muslim Pulau Pinang), and Lee Kim Noor (Penang Ratepayers Association).
For MBSP, the new faces are Ng Yee Siang (DAP), Teh Chuann Yien (DAP), and Norly Masitah Mohamed Noor (PKR).
The new faces representing NGOs in MBSP are Tan Bee Hong (Majlis Pusat Kebajikan Semalaysia), Tan Choo Eng (Penang Forum), and Harryzan Yaakub (Pertubuhan Ikram Malaysia Pulau Pinang).
MBPP mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang said the council will give special focus on waste management, becoming a low-carbon city, and safety, all covered in its five domains that include “Smart e-Governance”, “Smart Environment”, “Smart Mobility”, “Smart Economy”, and “Smart Social”.
Almost RM382.3 million has been budgeted to cover the safety, health and cleanliness of Penang island.
In terms of holistic waste management, MBPP said it has developed an integrated solid waste management plan that will look into a waste-to-energy programme to reduce rubbish sent to the landfill.
Looking into issues of climate change, MBPP will start a nature-based climate adaptation plan that will see more trees planted on the island to handle urban heat islands.
Other plans include “smart mapping for smart city planning” and “creating a cashless community”, which will see approximately 1,000 CCTVs installed in the city and the introduction of an economic stimulus initiative to help Penangites affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
State local government committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said during his speech that the state government does not want to be a dictator.
“As I speak, there is a curfew at Washington as (US president) Donald Trump does not want to leave, and congressmen are inside. It’s under curfew now. This is not what we want.
“In Penang, we always accept suggestions from all. Especially for all councillors, I want to note the amazing work you have done during this pandemic. We give the highest gratitude for their works.”
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that RM382.3 million is budgeted to support policies for a “prosperous and competitive socio-economic environment”.
He said the gross development value of the city had increased from RM2.567 billion in 2019 to RM2.575 billion in 2020.
“We thought that it would go down because of the pandemic, but it remains almost the same. I hope that it will continue to increase this year.” – The Vibes, January 7, 2021
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