MELAKA: Professionalism must be the hallmark of every enforcement operation to safeguard the historic city's reputation as a harmonious and premier tourist destination, says Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh (pic).
The Melaka Chief Minister ordered all four local authorities in the state to tighten standard operating procedures (SOPs) to prevent any controversial issues.
He said enforcement personnel must be adequately trained, equipped with the necessary knowledge and resources and fully understand the scope of their powers to ensure every operation is carried out professionally without triggering unnecessary public concern.
Taking lessons from the recent stray animal capture operation in Selangor, Ab Rauf said local authorities must continuously review and strengthen their SOPs while ensuring every enforcement exercise is properly documented.
"I want all SOPS to be reviewed and strengthened from time to time to ensure sufficient equipment is provided, training is enhanced, every operation is properly recorded and all officers fully understand the scope of their authority and responsibilities.
"This principle does not only apply to stray animal capture operations but when carrying out enforcement, demolishing illegal structures, confiscating goods or managing hawkers where every action must be executed with professionalism," he said in his speech during a gathering with 400 staff of Melaka Historic City Council (MBMB), Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council (MPHTJ), Alor Gajah Municipal Council MPAG) and Jasin Municipal Council (MPJ) at the Stadium Hang Jebat in Krubong here on Thursday (Aug 6).
Ab Rauf said strengthening enforcement standards was among four priorities he wanted the state's four local authorities to focus on during the remaining months of this year.
He said the first priority was to optimise public assets as a driver of revenue and public well-being by reviewing the utilisation of buildings, public squares, recreational parks, food courts, public spaces and other assets that have yet to be fully utilised.
"The second priority is to improve the quality of public service delivery, particularly in enforcement, by ensuring officers perform their duties professionally, responsibly and in accordance with established procedures," he said.
Ab Rauf also urged local authorities to accelerate Melaka's smart city agenda by embracing digital transformation, making greater use of data in decision-making and adopting smart technologies in urban management to achieve "Visionary Smart City" status by 2035.
He said equal emphasis must be placed on maintaining clean, orderly and safe urban environments in line with state's position as a preferred destination for tourists and investors.
Meanwhile, Ab Rauf said the four local authorities resolved 99% of more than 13,300 public complaints received throughout 2025, demonstrating the state government's commitment to ensuring issues affecting the people are addressed promptly and effectively.
He said a local authority's performance should not be measured solely by the amount of revenue collected or the number of projects implemented, but more importantly by how effectively it resolves public grievances.
"Not only that, throughout 2025, the four local councils also recorded revenue collection exceeding RM407mil while implementing 537 development and maintenance projects," he added.
