Fine-tuning grant initiative

Johary (centre) cutting a pulut kuning cake to mark the second anniversary of MBSJ’s city status with MBSJ department heads and councillors. — MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star

Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) is encouraging communities to apply for grants of RM3,000 per group next year under its community grant programme.

Subang Jaya mayor Datuk Johary Anuar said previous programmes had a top-down approach and the city council wanted to change that.

“The application will be open to neighbourhood groups, non-governmental organisations and schools for initiatives such as community gardens or programmes to enhance social well-being or local economy,” he added.

He said applications for the community grant programme would be subject to certain guidelines to ensure they were in line with enhancing MBSJ’s image.

Johary was speaking to reporters about the city council’s plans after its monthly staff assembly at its headquarters in USJ 5, Subang Jaya, Selangor.

MBSJ’s RM360mil budget for next year, he said, had been tabled and was awaiting approval from the state government.

“It will be a balanced budget in terms of revenue and expenditure,” he added.

The assembly this time was held in conjunction with the second anniversary of MBSJ’s city status, which fell on Oct 20.

Johary, along with Subang Jaya deputy mayor Mohd Zulkurnain Che Ali, department heads and several MBSJ councillors cut a pulut kuning cake to mark the occasion.

MBSJ staff were briefed on some of the awards won by the city council, which included Johary being named the “Most Inspiring Leader” at the Employee Experience Awards 2022.

Johary later credited this win to team effort and said it would serve as motivation to continue leading the city council.

“No man is an island, so an organisation cannot function without good team effort.

“I do not believe in micromanaging people.

“A leader must have clarity in vision and direction, and trust that subordinates will deliver,” he said.

MBSJ has lined up a series of events to mark the second anniversary of its city status, which also coincides with 25 years of its establishment as a local authority.

The Subang Jaya City Carnival, happening this weekend at MBSJ’s headquarters, is the highlight.

Some 25 activities have been lined up for the two-day event targeted at all levels of communities and ages, including community run, criterium open, push bike competition, esports challenge, colouring and doodle art competitions, community sports competition and health screenings.

Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari is expected to flag off the fun bicycle ride on Sunday at 7.30am.

There are also incentives such as RM10 flat rate for selected traffic compounds and waiver of late notice fee for late payment of the 2022 second term assessment payment.

For details, visit www.mbsj.gov.my/ms/node/2127 or MBSJ’s social media platforms.