Azlinda intends to learn more about technical aspects of city planning

Azlinda taking her oath of office as deputy mayor at the MBPJ full board meeting.

PETALING Jaya City Council (MBPJ) received its first-ever woman deputy mayor when Azlinda Azman was sworn in.

Speaking to the media after the full board meeting, Azlinda said she was looking forward to working with Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohd Sayuthi Bakar and learning more about the technical aspects of city planning.

“I have local council experience through my stint at the Sabak Bernam District Council. However, this time I will be serving a city and I am looking forward to the challenge, ” said the mother of five.

The 55-year-old echoed the mayor’s aspiration which was to work towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) for the city.

Azlinda’s experience includes a stint as chief executive officer of Perbadanan Adat Melayu dan Warisan Negri Selangor.

She has also served with the Selangor Land and Mines Office and the National Institute of Public Administration.

When asked what she hoped to bring to her new role as deputy mayor, Azlinda said she was a firm believer in gender equality at the workplace.

“I love challenges and learning new things. I want to be able to work well with everyone regardless of their gender and I am looking forward to do that here, ” said Azlinda, who holds a Master of Business Administration and a degree in Public Administration.

Meanwhile, at the council full board meeting, Sayuthi said MBPJ would ensure that this year’s budget was spent wisely.

He said the 2020 budget would be based on priority budgeting and importance would be given to committed expenditure, upgrading of facilities and completing pending projects.

To ensure it was on a sound financial footing, MBPJ would look into ways to increase its coffers through reorganisation and monitoring of revenue collection.

“The council will also be prudent with expenditure and focus on having a good maintenance culture. “We will prioritise the back-to-basic services such as road maintenance, drainage, lighting, council hall upgrades as well as Petaling Jaya’s landscape, ” said the mayor.

He added that the council was committed to helping keep the city safe by engaging with the community and supporting public development programmes.

The council’s theme for the year is “Sustainable City”.

Sayuthi said he wanted the city to be developed based on the SDG which includes principles such as safety, vibrancy, liveability, universal design, value for money, accessibility and affordable city council services.

“Our core focus would be in managing the infrastructure and public amenities, parks, fields and landscaping, waste management, environmental health as well as the safety of the city and community empowerment, ” he said.