THE 11 new members appointed to the Kuala Lumpur advisory board must come up with viable solutions to issues that have long plagued the city and have a bigger voice, say community leaders.
Save Kuala Lumpur (SKL) chairman Datuk M. Ali said there were reservations about the board members’ effectiveness and role.
The members, he said, should detail how they planned to eliminate traffic jams, provide affordable housing and ensure effective measures are in place to prevent floods in the city by liaising closely with Selangor.
“They must also look into reviewing all alienation of government land by Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur Land and Mines Office (PTGWP) through the PM’s Office and review development orders granted by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) that are in conflict with environmental protection.”
Ali reinterated that SKL had been pushing for the election of a mayor, followed by the election of councillors, for better transparency.
Brickfields Rukun Tetangga (KRT) chairman SKK Naidu hoped the new members would reach out to community leaders to keep abreast of city matters.
“These new members seem to be new faces, so it is important that they interact with the communities to know the issues on the ground.
“This will give them a better picture of the situation which they can bring to the board.”
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On July 7, the new advisory board members were presented with their letters of appointment by Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Kamarulzaman Mat Salleh.
They have been tasked with offering city management recommendations to the mayor for a two-year period, effective May 15.
In a statement, DBKL said: “The appointment of the new board members completes the 13-member advisory board, together with Datuk Setia Di-Raja Datuk Abdul Ghani Pateh Akhir and Federal Territories Department director-general Datuk Seri Hajah Rosida Jaafar.”
Appointed to the board are Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Shafei Abdullah, Datuk Seri Izudin Ishak, Datuk Tong Nguen Khoong, Datuk Ismail Ngah, Datuk Afdlin Shauki Aksan, Datin Rashidah Mohd Sies, Dr Abdul Basir V. Kunhimohamed, Lai Chen Heng, Jayakumar R. Muniandy, Hayatul Kamil Termudi and Leong Ooi Kuan.
“Under Section 6(1) of the Federal Capital Act 1960, the appointment of the advisory board members is by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who will act on the advice of the Prime Minister or the mayor.”
A quick check shows that several board members are political appointees while the rest have technical backgrounds.
For example, Tong is president of Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (Rehda) while Rashidah is currently Finance Ministry deputy secretary-general (Management).
Mohd Shafei, who is Wangsa Maju Umno chief, said the board members were tasked with choosing the portfolio they were interested in by tomorrow.
“The Kuala Lumpur mayor will have the last nod on which portfolio we will be handling.
“I have a big responsibility and I will try my best to deliver,” he added.
Lai, who is Wangsa Maju PKR chief said he is interested in looking into issues pertaining to the draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2040 as well as licensing matters.
These, he said, fell under the sustainable and prosperous city advisory committee portfolio.
“Both are issues that not only Wangsa Maju residents face but also the city as a whole.
“We are told to choose three out of 12 portfolios and one of the non-Muslim board members will have to sit on the excise licensing board,” he said.
Leong, who helms both Cheras Wanita DAP and Federal Territories Wanita DAP, said she was interested in people’s welfare.
“This falls under the equitable and inclusive city advisory committee portfolio.
“I also served as Kajang councillor for one term which gives me an advantage when dealing with council issues,” she said, adding that she also wanted to champion women’s well-being.
Leong is one of three female advisory board members apart from Rashidah and Rosida.
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