Documentation issues delay Kuala Selangor’s elevation to municipality

Amirudin (second from left) launching the Bandar Malawati Special Area Draft Plans 2025 while Rahilah (right) looks on at Dataran Malawati, Kuala Selangor. Also present are Selangor local government, public transport and new village development committee chairman Ng Sze Han (left), Selangor entrepreneur development committee chairman Rodziah Ismail (third from left) and other representatives from the state and MDKS.

A FEW incomplete documents stand in the way of the Kuala Selangor District Council (MDKS) becoming a municipal council.

Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said MDKS had sent in its application to be elevated to a municipality but a few items were incomplete.

“We have seen MDKS’ application but there were a few items which needed to be rectified and resubmitted before it goes to the Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government (KPKT) ministry for approval, ” he said after launching the Bandar Malawati Special Area Draft Plans (RKK) 2025 at Dataran Malawati in Kuala Selangor.

He added that the ministry would decide whether MDKS could be upgraded to a municipality.

Amirudin said this would depend on how fast MDKS could resubmit its documents to the state.

“There are a lot of things which need to be looked into - like the population, revenue, income and so on to become a municipal council, ” he said.

At the launch, Amirudin said the short-term draft plan focused mostly on tourism, the local economy and sustainable development in the area.

“This is just a small area of about 809ha with a population of about 3,000 people.

“The changes made to the draft plan is aimed at adding value to Kuala Selangor, improve the quality of life there and also to preserve heritage and boost tourism, ” he said.

Amirudin further said there were valuable historical landmarks there, like the lighthouse and firefly sanctuary which needed to be preserved well.

In fact, Bukit Malawati itself has been declared a National Heritage Site in Oct 2018 by the National Heritage Department.

“There is so much history in Bukit Malawati and that is why the RKK is done - to focus on planning the area’s history and heritage, ” he said.

MDKS president Rahilah Rahmat, who was present at the event, urged residents and stakeholders in Bandar Malawati to participate in this publicity exercise and put in their feedback, proposals and objections.

“This whole process is done to ensure the views and opinion of the people are prioritised.

“For this RKK, we have about 52 project proposals which can be viewed by residents during this publicity period, ” she said.

Rahilah added that Kuala Selangor was one of the eco-

tourism clusters, named by the state and that they were finding ways to increase tourism and boost the local economy there.

In 2019, there was a 30% increase in tourism in the district.

Those who wish to submit their feedback can do so either via the MDKS website or by downloading the RKKBMKS app via Google Play on mobile phones until Sept 8.