IPOH: Eight new councillors took their oaths on Monday (March 30) as part of the latest appointments to the Ipoh City Council (MBI).
The eight were among the 24 council members, including Datuk Bandar Zamakhshari Hanipah, who were sworn-in.
State housing and local government committee chairman Sandrea Ng said nearly one-third of the previous council has been replaced.
“We hope that with their diverse backgrounds, expertise and experience, they will be able to contribute to the services and overall performance of Ipoh city.
“MBI is indeed the largest local authority in Perak and also the only city council in the state.
“Therefore, we hope MBI will continue to achieve excellence and align with the Perak Sejahtera 2030 plan by implementing various initiatives to facilitate community matters, resolve issues and drive development,” she told reporters after the swearing-in ceremony.
Ng said the state government hopes that all councillors would play their role by going to the ground, listening to community issues, and working together with the council’s administration to identify solutions to existing problems.
Four of the councillors are from PKR, two from Amanah, and two from Barisan Nasional.
Early during her speech, Ng said MBI has set out a clear strategic direction aiming for a smart, low-carbon and highly liveable city by 2030.
She said the council’s long-term goals include strengthening inclusive urban governance and enhancing the overall quality of life for residents, not just through physical development but also by improving everyday experiences and well-being.
“Ipoh’s designation as a Unesco creative city of music, and its status as both a heritage and tourism city add momentum to the city’s development ambitions.
“The performance of MBI is under close public scrutiny, with residents increasingly evaluating local government effectiveness based on everyday issues such as cleanliness, road and drainage conditions, street lighting, waste management and service delivery,” she said.
Ng said the volume of public complaints reflects high expectations from the community and underscores the need for swift, transparent action.
“Every complaint must be followed up with solutions, ongoing monitoring and clear feedback to the public,” she said.
