Many councillors not using RM70k allocation

"I understand that some councillors are too busy but the public should not be deprived," said Suliman.

SELAYANG Municipal Council (MPS) councillors who fail to use their annual allocation of RM70,000 by September this year will have to return the money to MPS.

MPS president Suliman Abd Rahman said many councillors failed to use the allocation given by the council judging from the quarterly checks on their accounts.

“If a councillor does not use this money, we will take it back and use it for projects in the respective councillor's zone, like repairing playground and other public amenities.

“We will also place a signboard there informing the public that the allcation is from the respective councillor.

“I understand that some councillors are too busy and ignore the allocation given but the public should not be deprived. The allocation will be given back to the public," said Suliman at the MPS full board meeting in Bandar Baru Selayang yesterday.

Councillor Amir Fazklee Khalid applauded Suliman's decision and said councillors should take more responsibility for their area.

Amir, whose allocation has almost been used up, said he organised programmes every month for the community under his care or used the allocation for community projects.

“The council has given something good to councillors, and they should use it wisely for the community," he said.

On another issue, councillor Sulaiman Abu Samah said flooding had affected some 120 residents in Taman Tun Perak in Rawang due to the backflow of water from Sungai Pajam on April 19. Areas that were affected included Rawang town and Kampung Baru Kundang in Kundang, where floodwaters reached 0.3m-high.

He asked if MPS had a solution for the issue.

In his response, Suliman said many retention ponds in the area managed by the Drainage and Irrigation Department (JPS) were not properly maintained, what with the rapid development taking place there.

“Moreover, drains that were built 40 to 50 years ago are not able to cope with high volume of water during the flashflood. JPS is doing a study on this to come out with a long-term solution, like the deepening of river and using revolutionary culvert and drainage systems.

“We are looking at the blueprint in the area as water catchment areas are now being developed. Only with proper planning can we handle the situation," he said.