Shah Alam gets ninth mayor

Zamani: All departments must work together to find ways to increase revenue.

NEW Shah Alam mayor Datuk Zamani Ahmad Mansor has laid out six goals for the local authority to achieve, including the adoption of technology to better serve ratepayers.

Zamani, 50, who was sworn-in yesterday at Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) headquarters with strict Covid-19 standard operating procedure in place, is the ninth mayor of the city.

He replaces Datuk Haris Kasim, who has been appointed Selangor state finance officer.

Zamani, who is former Selangor government deputy secretary (management), joined the civil service in 1996, and holds a degree and postgraduate qualification in management science from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Universiti Utara Malaysia respectively.

In his speech, he outlined the goals for MBSA which included service upgrades, waste management, infrastructure developments, social engagement, technological adoption and human resource empowerment.

The immediate focus, he said, would be towards ensuring efficient waste disposal and recouping arrears owed to the city council.

“Although waste collection service has been handled by KDEB Waste Management Sdn Bhd since Jan 1 last year, MBSA is tasked with ensuring that on-site works can be carried out effectively.

“All departments also need to work together to find ways to increase revenue.

“They must find alternatives to recover arrears,” he said.

Zamani said MBSA would push forward with digitalising its services to better serve ratepayers, especially during the pandemic.

“Websites or apps need to be updated and integrated to work seamlessly to ensure easy access for people.

“Our society is becoming increasingly adept at technology and its usage has increased,” he said, adding that this was in line with the state government’s aspiration to become a smart state by 2025.

Separately, Zamani said MBSA had taken measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the city.

“An operation centre has been activated under our health department, with help from other departments such as enforcement, licensing, planning and service.

“It mobilises personnel for monitoring and conducting disinfection exercises, in addition to doing public announcements,” he said.

Zamani added that MBSA had limited its staff capacity at headquarters to only 20% currently.