MPK swears in 15 new councillors at closed-door ceremony

KLANG: Fifteen people were sworn in as Klang Municipal Council's (MPK) new batch of councillors on Friday (Feb 2) morning.

Once Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah proclaims Klang a city on Monday (Feb 5), the councillors will carry out their duties as the royal city's first group of councillors.

In a strange twist, the swearing-in was turned into a closed-door event despite invitations being sent out for the media to attend the ceremony.

The assembled photographers were also not allowed to enter.

According to MPK corporate communications director Norfiza Mahfiz, it was decided late Thursday night (Feb 1) to make it a closed-door event.

"We have asked the media to just watch our live (streaming)," said Norfiza when contacted.

She said a media statement and the list of councillors' names would be emailed to the media later.

MPK has come under heavy fire recently, with Klang residents raising their hackles over its alleged inefficiency.

Many raised their doubts about whether the council could carry out its duties as the custodian of a city.

However, Klang's Orang Besar Daerah Klang, Datuk Mohammed Khusrin Munawi, had asked that the soon-to-be city hall be given a year to bring changes to Klang.

“Many plans costing several million ringgit have been drafted and will be implemented soon to improve Klang," Mohammed Khusrin had said.

He added that the council had the income and enough funds to see the million ringgit plans through.

Among the accusations levelled against the council by residents was that MPK was unable to maintain general cleanliness and upkeep of drains and roads, as well as allegedly approving renovation and building projects without considering the potential negative implications.