Wednesday February 1, 2012

Another month for 155 contractors

By JAYAGANDI JAYARAJ
jaya@thestar.com.my

The Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) has extended the contract for its 155 contractors for cleaning and rubbish collection for another month for a smooth transition when the new ones take over.

The new contractors — 24 for rubbish collection and 36 for cleaning work — will start on March 1. The new contractors are now undergoing training and learning the routes in the area.

MPS president Datuk Zainal Abidin Aala said the new contractors were assigned to one zone each with specific jobs like cleaning or rubbish collection.

“The new contractors need some time to learn and know the area better so that the transition will be smooth.

“So far, we have not had of any sabotage in our area due to contractor change after the takeover from Alam Flora,” he said during the full board meeting yesterday.

Five supervisors will monitor the 60 zones to ensure work is being carried out according to schedule.

As a back-up, the council is spending RM800,000 this year to buy a compactor, a lorry and other equipment.

Some councillors suggested that message boards be put up at the MPS premises to encourage people to report bribery among council staff. Those who alert the council would also be rewarded.

The suggestion was brought up following an independent survey by a non-governmental organisation claiming that the public perceive there was 60% corruption among all local councils.

Zainal Abidin said the council would consider putting up signages.

“Those who want to complain can go to the service management department. However, the reward will only given when the staff is proven guilty in court,’ he added.

Before the full board meeting, the council’s new vice-president Moha-mad Zain A Hamid was sworn in.

The 38-year-old, who took over from Mohd Jaid Ehsan, was formerly a principal assistant secretary under the human resource department in the state secretariat in Shah Alam. He has been in the civil service for eight years.

“I hope to help and continue to work with the president. I will be focusing on improving on the council’s administrative side so that there is synchronisation between the departments for better service,” he said.