‘MPAJ has to overcome challenges to get city status’

Amirudin (seated, seventh from the left) with MPAJ staff who received awards for excellent service rendered over the last two years and for going beyond their regular job scope.

Selangor government is prepared to support upgrading the Ampang Jaya municipality’s status to city council if it is able to meet the requirements, says Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.

He said Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) would need to formulate a sustainable living framework that meets the people’s needs in planning for city status.

“Ampang Jaya has its own unique set of challenges unlike other places such as Petaling Jaya or Hulu Selangor.

“It is located in between Kuala Lumpur and less urbanised areas.

“MPAJ needs to restructure its crowded city.

“There are areas which are cramped and outdated that can be restructured to accommodate more housing, for example.

“I believe MPAJ is capable of bearing this challenge.

“Our success is not only based on revenue but also determined by the level of service and fulfilling the people’s interests,” he said during MPAJ’s Outstanding Service Award Ceremony at Dewan Perwira Mindef in Kuala Lumpur.

Also present were Selangor state secretary Datuk Haris Kasim, Selangor local government, public transport and new village development committee chairman Ng Sze Han, MPAJ secretary Julaihah Jamaludin as well as former MPAJ president Datuk Abd Hamid Hussain.

During the ceremony, 70 MPAJ staff were recognised for excellent service rendered over the last two years, and for going beyond their regular job scope.

Twelve staff members who are due for retirement this year or who had already retired were recognised with tokens of appreciation for their long years of service.

Many of them had served the council since its establishment in 1992.