Ready to serve Seberang Perai community

EIGHT new faces have been picked by the state government to serve the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) as among 24 councillors for this year beginning from Jan 1 to Dec 31.

 

This was announced by the state Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo during the press conference at Komtar yesterday.

Jagdeep told a press conference in Komtar yesterday

They are Zainuddin Mohamed, Ahmad Rizal Abdul Hamid, S. Galaimani, Fahmi Zainol (all from PKR), Chee Yeeh Keen (DAP), Muhamad Suzuki Ahmad (Amanah), Siti Shahanis Md Sharif (NGO – Persatuan Komuniti Harapan Pulau Pinang) and Tan Choo Eng (NGO – Penang Forum).

 

The swearing-in ceremony for the MBSP councillors is scheduled to take place on Jan 11 (Saturday).

 

Buletin Mutiara managed to interview some of them and below are their views:

 

Fahmi (29, special officer to Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar)

Fahmi Zainol (29, special officer to Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar

“The appointments prove that the state government prioritises youth and wants them to get involved in strengthening the execution of policies and improving efficiency in services.

 

“When I heard YB Jagdeep’s announcement that the percentage of youth in both city councils is at eight per cent, I knew this will be a great platform for the youth to represent the Seberang Perai community and voice out their concerns.

 

“Furthermore, I grew up here. So, it will be easier for me to identify things that need to be highlighted in Seberang Perai.

 

“As an example, when it comes to development, I always hear some remarks that the development on the island is far better than on the mainland, so I want to correct that stigma.

 

“At the same time, I want to make sure that the development in Seberang Perai is also on par with the island while maintaining the heritage value.”

 

Galaimani (41, Sungai Bakap assemblyman Dr Amar Pritpal’s publicity officer)

Galaimani (41, Sungai Bakap assemblyman Dr Amar Pritpal’s publicity officer)

“As an officer to Sungai Bakap assemblyman, I already have a lot of experience especially in serving the Sungai Bakap community.

 

“Now that I have been appointed as a MBSP councillor, I can use that experience to benefit the Seberang Perai community, especially the Sungai Bakap folk.

 

“Among the things that I will focus on are issues related to traffic congestion in Sungai Bakap as I have received a lot of complaints.

 

“Apart from that, the infrastructure development in Sungai Bakap will be my priority.”

 

Ahmad Rizal (45, lawyer)

Ahmad Rizal (45, lawyer)

“I would like to ensure that MBSP can provide better and quality services after having obtained city council status recently.

 

“My focus will be on job opportunities and matters related to economy, social, health and community welfare.

 

“What is the point of being awarded with the city council status if the community is suffering from those issues. These are the things that I want to highlight.

 

“I am thankful to the state government for entrusting me with this responsibility which I will carry out to my utmost for the sake of Seberang Perai community.”

 

Zainuddin Mohamed (35, Kepala Batas PKR division Angkatan Muda Keadilan chief)

Zainuddin Mohamed (35, Kepala Batas PKR division Angkatan Muda Keadilan chief)

“I want to highlight some critical issues in Kepala Batas area, such as drainage and sewer system, and road repairs or upgrade in Kampung Selamat, Kampung Paya Keladi and Permatang Tinggi.

 

“On top of that, I do receive a few complaints from the community in Kepala Batas about the grass cutting schedule.

 

“For this first term, I hope I can help solve the issues raised by the residents here.”

Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud