New mayor for Alor Star

ALOR STAR: Incoming Alor Star City Mayor Datuk Abdul Mukhti Abdullah has vowed to help strengthen the city council’s finances. 

Abdul Mukhti, who will take up the post on Nov 1, said it was a challenge to increase the council’s revenue and improve services of the city built 201 years ago. 

“I have to look into ways to strengthen existing sourc-es of revenue and also look for new sources. We also need to improve the collection system, among others. 

“I have to set my priori- ty right as the city council is facing financial constraints,” said Abdul Mukthi, who has a first degree in economy. 

Abdul Mukthi, who is currently the director of the state economic planning unit, said this in a telephone interview from Kuala Lum-pur where he is attending a meeting. 

Abdul Mukthi, 55, will take over the post from Datuk Yusoff Nayan whose contract ended on Monday.  

Yusoff was appointed the first mayor after Alor Star was accorded the city status in 2003. 

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid who an-nounced Mukthi’s ap-pointment at a press conference yesterday, said the Sultan of Kedah had given his consent to the appointment. “I am confident he will meet the people’s expectations. 

“The public expect better services. They want a reliable garbage disposal system, unclogged drains and well-maintained roads,” said Mahdzir, adding that Yusoff had done a good job.  

“Among others, Yusoff created various divisions such as planning, development, and landscaping to deal with other government agencies,” he said. 

Yusoff would be given a position in one of the government-linked companies, he added.