FIVE new faces have been appointed as the new Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) councillors for the 2021 term.
The new faces are Ng Yee Siang (DAP), Teh Chuann Yien (DAP), Norly Masitah Mohamed Noor (PKR), Tan Bee Hong (Majlis Pusat Kebajikan Semalaysia) and Harryzan Yaakub (Pertubuhan Ikram Malaysia Pulau Pinang).
They are among 24 MBSP councillors who took their oaths in a swearing-in ceremony before Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, State Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo and MBSP mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud at the MBSP headquarters building in Bandar Perda, Bukit Mertajam today.
The new MBSP lineup for the 2021 term comprises 10 from DAP, PKR (nine), Amanah (two) and NGO (three).
The tenure for the councillors is from Jan 1 until Dec 31.
For Ng, two of the issues that he would focus on are the housing and industry development in Seberang Perai.
“As we know, during the Covid-19 pandemic, most of the development in these sectors are either delayed or postponed.
“I want to look for ways to help the city council and the state government in my capacity as a local councillor and to improve development in these two sectors on the mainland,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tan said she wants to focus more on the infrastructure and facilities for the senior citizens and also for the disabled.
“As a newly appointed councillor, my main focus is to try to provide more facilities and infrastructure for the senior citizens and the disabled people. For example, providing more seated toilets in public places such as wet markets, recreational parks and others.
“This is because I noticed that we are still lacking in terms of facilities for the disabled and senior citizens.
“So I will try my best to accommodate the disabled and elderly people,” said Tan, who is also an account manager of a private company.
As for Harryzan, he said that he has a lot to learn about the job scope and would try his best to carry out his duty.
“I will do my best to highlight more welfare programmes to help the needy in Seberang Perai.
“I also want to conduct more awareness programmes about Covid-19 so that the residents on the mainland will take the necessary precautions and stay vigilant to curb the spread of the virus,” said Harryzan, who is a lawyer by profession.
In his speech, Rozali congratulated all the appointed councillors.
He urged them to work with the city council and give their best service to the people of Seberang Perai.
Chow also congratulated the 24 newly appointed councillors and urged them to carry out their duties diligently and effectively to serve the people on the mainland.
“I would also like to say thank you to the former MBSP councillors for everything they have done and their contributions to the city council.
“I hope they will continue to help the people although they are no longer councillors,” he said.
Chow also commended MBSP for its efforts towards digitalisation during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“As we know, MBSP has already prepared 100 types of services through its cyber counters to encourage the Seberang Perai residents to make the necessary online transactions.
“The aim is to minimise human movement to control the spread of the virus.
“And among the services offered through its cyber counters are online payments involving various types of MBSP services, the payment of utility bills from other agencies, various online applications and others,” he added.
Meanwhile, Jagdeep said MBSP councillors also play important roles to supervise and to ensure that the public adhere to the strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) to curb the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.
After the swearing-in ceremony, Chow officiated the Seberang Perai Corporate Priorities 2021 (SPCP 2021) and Strategic Plan for Gender Inclusiveness 2021-2030.
“I hope that all the MBSP councillors will spend their time to understand these two documents for the betterment of the people in Seberang Perai,” Chow said.
Rozali said the SPCP 2021 is a strategic document that highlights Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that are needed to be achieved by the MBSP this year.
“The SPCP 2021 contains 152 programmes with 255 KPIs.
“Meanwhile, the Strategic Plan for Gender Inclusiveness 2021-2030 is to ensure a gender balance policy in every MBSP programme.
“This is in line with the state’s mission to achieve the 40:40:20 ratio in the state gender inclusiveness policy by 2030.
“The ratio comprises 40% women, 40% men and 20% for both men and women,” he added.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad
Video by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis