MELAKA: Professionalism must be the hallmark of every enforcement operation to safeguard Melaka’s reputation as a harmonious and premier tourist destination, says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.
He has directed all four local councils in the state to tighten their standard operating procedure following the recent controversy over a stray animal capture operation in Selangor.
Ab Rauf said enforcement personnel must be properly trained, equipped with the necessary resources and fully understand the scope of their powers to ensure operations are carried out professionally without triggering unnecessary public concern.
Taking lessons from the incident, he said local councils must continuously review and strengthen their SOP while ensuring every enforcement exercise is properly documented.
“I want all SOP 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 apply only to stray animal capture operations but also to enforcement involving the demolition of illegal structures, confiscation of goods and the management of hawkers.
“Every action must be carried out professionally,” he said during a gathering with about 400 staff members from the Melaka Historic City Council, Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council, Alor Gajah Municipal Council and Jasin Municipal Council in Krubong yesterday.
Ab Rauf also urged local councils 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.
