Monday June 18, 2012

Prime Minister to decide on Ahmad Fuad’s future as KL mayor

Stories by BAVANI M
bavanim@thestar.com.my

AS Kuala Lumpur mayor Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail’s tenure comes to an end on July 13, speculation of who will fill his shoes is rife among city folk.

Sources told StarMetro that the mayor’s term will not be renewed and that the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak would choose a new mayor.

According to a City Hall source, Ahmad Fuad has already started packing up his things in the office.

It is not hard for those who follow the developments in the city to notice that the man has been keeping a low profile the past few months and assigning his director-general Datuk Salleh Yusup and deputy director-general (socio-economy development) Datuk Amin Nordin Abd Aziz to represent him at functions.

Even the Kuala Lumpur MPs are saying that the mayor has been avoiding their calls and text messages asking for an appointment.

Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng said no meeting had been held with the MPs this year.

Friendly face: A file picture of Ahmad Fuad at a meeting with the Kuala Lumpur MPs.

“I don’t think his office fax machines are even working since none of my letters are going through,’’ he said.

Ahmad Fuad was appointed as the ninth mayor on December 14, 2008, replacing Datuk Hakim Borhan.

The mayor’s contract expired on December 14, 2010, but was given a six-month extension until July 15 last year.

His contract was extended for another year to allow him to honour and follow through with commitments and promises made to the people, including the KL MPs.

The mayor started his tenure on a positive footing, earning the praise of the opposition MPs and improving the life and welfare of city folk.

At the start of his tenure, he announced that in order to recover about RM330mil in assessment arrears, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) would be a no-nonsense enforcer.

Businessmen in the capital city would certainly appreciate the mayor’s business-friendly measures such as allowing them to start business even before a licence was issued.

Ahmad Fuad was also instrumental in setting up the City Hall’s 24-hour Hotline in January 2010.

The 100-year-old Lake Gardens also underwent a massive upgrade and has become the city’s pride.

Another brownie point was the launch of KUL-Submission — an electronic delivery system to manage applications for proposed developments at the DBKL.

DBKL underwent a restructuring process which saw more than 1,000 contract employees made permanent and several departments merged to reduce overlapping duties.

The employees made permanent were able to enjoy better perks, revised salaries and allowances as well as get an opportunity to move up.

The mayor, however, came under fire recently for not doing enough to stop the fiasco in front of Bersih co-chairman Datuk S. Ambiga’s house as well as the attempted privatisation of the 37-year-old Cheras crematorium in Kuala Lumpur.

For now it is hard to look beyond two names, Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Ministry’s secretary-general Datuk Ahmad Phesal Talib and deputy secretary-general Datuk Adnan Ikhsan as possible replacements.

Ahmad Phesal is considerd a prospect because of his position in the ministry’s hierachy.

According to sources he has an edge as he is not new in the service sector and is well liked by Umno politicians.

He began his stint in the public sector in 1977 as the administration and diplomatic officer and assistant director in the Economic Planning Division in the Prime Minister’s Office.

He also served as senior project officer in the Public Services Department (JPA), secretary of the Labuan Municipal Council, Seberang Perai Selatan district officer, and Balik Pulau District officer.

Ahmad Phesal also served as the Penang Land and Mines director in 2001.

In 2004, he was appointed the Penang Municipal Council president where he served until 2006.

Adnan Ikhsan joined the ministry early last year after serving four years as the Subang Jaya Municipal Council president.

He has been active working on the Kg Baru and Kg Kerinchi development issues.