‘Back to basics’ approach as new Shah Alam council line-up sworn-in

A MIX of seasoned hands and fresh faces are joining the ranks of Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) councillors for the 2026-2027 term.

Eight new councillors have been appointed, alongside 16 who were reappointed.

Shah Alam mayor Datuk Mohd Fauzi Mohd Yatim said the combination of experienced and new councillors would inject new ideas, while strengthening the city council’s service delivery.

“For 2026, we have taken many lessons from what happened in 2025 and our focus is very clear – back to basics,” he said during the swearing-in ceremony at Wisma MBSA in Section 14, Shah Alam.

He said flood mitigation would remain a priority this year.

“We want to ensure floods do not recur in 2026 following several incidents last year,” he said.

“That is why many of our development projects are now focused on upgrading infrastructure, especially drainage systems, to better cope with high rainfall.”

Mohd Fauzi added that key issues related to waste management, cleanliness and basic infrastructure maintenance.

He said the city council also wanted to take a “zero-pothole” approach and improve street lighting.

The 24-person councillor line-up includes 10 from PKR, seven from DAP and six from Amanah, as well as an Orang Besar Daerah Petaling.

The new faces from PKR are Khairul Naim Rafidi, Bariqul Zaman Batharul Zaman, Sarimah Lisut, Wan Shaharuddin Shah Ismail, Kumaravel Subrayan, Arif Abdullah, as well as Saravanan G. and Jacky Ng Chee Eng from DAP.

Defence and litigation lawyer Khairul Naim, 33, said his background would allow him to contribute on legal and policy-related matters.

“I hope to offer input, including views on by-laws that are aligned with community needs.”

Ng, 40, a former two-term Klang Royal City Council councillor, said his experience representing Bandar Bukit Raja, which borders Setia Alam, has made him familiar with Shah Alam’s urban landscape.

“It is important to establish good relationships with the public,” he said.

“If residents want to raise any issues, I can act as a bridge between them and MBSA or other state agencies.”