Rajendran (seated, in mayoral robes), Chow (on his right) together with MBPP councillors and state exco members after his swearing-in as the new mayor in front of the city council building in George Town, Penang. – Photos: CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
A LONG-SERVING employee who joined Penang Municipal Council (now Penang Island City Council) in 1986, Datuk A. Rajendran never thought he would end up as mayor.
After graduating with an engineering degree, his first posting was at the Public Works Department in Kuala Lumpur.
He applied for a transfer to Penang as he wanted to care for his family, especially his mother.
“Another reason was because I was born and raised in Penang.
“I wanted to come back and serve Penang.
“But it never crossed my mind that I would one day become mayor,” said Rajendran, 60, who hails from Ayer Itam.
Having served the local council for 37 years, he is now the fourth Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor.
The University of Hertfordshire graduate said it was a great honour to lead the council and thanked the state government for the trust given.
Hitting the ground running, Rajendran said the main issues on the island were cleanliness and traffic congestion.
“Planning and improvement measures are being implemented and will be made better.
“The process of educating people and enforcement actions will continue.
“To reduce the quantity of solid waste disposed, recycling through the Waste to Energy Project will be carried out in 2024 where the recycling rate on Penang island is expected to reach 60%,” he said before taking his oath at the city council building in George Town.
In terms of traffic, Rajendran said plans to upgrade roads and build important infrastructure would continue while focus would be given to the use of public transport and alternative transport as well.
“Initiatives to encourage more people to walk short distances will be implemented,” he said.
Rajendran hoped to cover all the bases and address all issues including those involving climate change, facilities for the disabled and Penang2030 vision.
“Part of my main focus will be to improve the general well- being of the people of Penang, especially in terms of cleanliness, public transport system, climate change resilience, digital transformation project and age-friendly city initiatives,” he said.
He took the oath before Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, state secretary Datuk Mohd Sayuthi Bakar, state local government, housing, town and country planning committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo and other state representatives and MBPP councillors.
Chow said: “I hope the great work done by the city council will continue under the administration of the new mayor.
“The style of administration might be different but the goal will still be the same which is to improve and preserve the quality of life of residents on the island in line with the state government’s Penang2030 vision,” Chow said.
Chow hoped the mayor would give his best to ensure that the implementation of various projects on the island would be carried out promptly.
“I wish to see that action is taken on complaints lodged with the city council without any delay. There is a need to take care of the image of the city, because if the city is dirty, then the image of MBPP and Penang will also be affected,” he said.
Chow urged all the city councillors to work together with Rajendran to carry out the city council’s programmes.
“I hope this new pairing will enhance their work and their service delivery,” he said.
Rajendran replaced Datuk Yew Tung Seang who retired last month. He had served as mayor since January 2018.
Rajendran, who was appointed council secretary in January last year, is the second mayor of Indian descent after DS Ramanathan, who was mayor from 1958-1960.
Rajendran (seated, in mayoral robes), Chow (on his right) together with MBPP councillors and state exco members after his swearing-in as the new mayor in front of the city council building in George Town, Penang. – Photos: CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
Rajendran joined the then Penang Municipal Council in 1986.
