Fourth time’s the charm for Klang

Big changes ahead: The Klang Municipal Council headquarters in Jalan Perbandaran will soon sport a new name. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star

THE news that Klang Municipal Council (MPK) will become Selangor’s fourth city on Nov 23 has got residents and stakeholders excited.

“Our council had received approval from Selangor State Executive Council (MMKN) to pursue city status.

“Comprehensive working papers with proposed new city emblems have been submitted to the Local Government Development Ministry,” MPK president Noraini Roslan told StarMetro.

“It will then be tabled to the Cabinet for approval,” she said.

She added that it would be a great honour for the town to finally become a city as this would be a form of recognition for Klang’s unique history and heritage.

Noraini assured residents that MPK infrastructure was being improved in line with city status.

“We are coordinating with the district and state Public Works Departments to upgrade infrastructure such as street lights.

Port Klang, under MPK’s jurisdiction, has links to 500 ports worldwide. — Filepic

“At the same time, coordination is being heightened for better domestic waste and public cleaning services,” she said.

She highlighted that Klang includes Port Klang, located 38km southwest of Kuala Lumpur, which is the main sea gateway to Malaysia.

“It is the world’s 12th busiest port and its strategic location makes it an excellent entry point.

“Port Klang has connections with more than 500 ports around the world,” she noted.

Klang’s roots as a settlement are closely linked to the tin trade and among its notable landmarks are the Sultan Suleiman Royal Mosque with its neoclassical style, the Sultan Abdul Aziz Royal Gallery that houses the skull of a 6.5m-long crocodile, the Indian business enclave known as Little India, the Pasar Jawa market, Our Lady of Lourdes Church with its Gothic-style architecture as well as seafood eateries in Port Klang.

Klang has a population of 895,100, and MPK had previously tried three times to attain city status.

StarMetro's report on July 21, 2021

In 2008 during the tenure of Datuk Mislan Tugiu as MPK president, efforts to begin city status application and for the local council to be called Klang Royal City Council was approved by the state executive council.

In June 2011, there was a suggestion for Klang to become a city, but divided into Klang North and Klang South, but that did not materialise.

In early 2015, the idea of applying for city status was revived but the MPK president at the time, Datuk Mohammad Yacob, called for the proposal to be put on hold.

On July 21, 2021, StarMetro had highlighted what would have been MPK’s third formal attempt.

However, the local council’s prepared proposal was not sent to the state government.

Currently, there are three city councils in Selangor — Petaling Jaya City Council, which achieved its status in 2006, Shah Alam City Council in 2010 and Subang Jaya City Council in 2020.

Last year, in a Selangor Royal Office Facebook post, Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah had decreed that it was time for Klang to become a city.

He also wanted MPK, with a jurisdiction covering 573.8sq km, to make efforts to keep the town clean as well as promote tourism and heritage locations.

Focus on liveability

MPK earned RM282.4mil in revenue as at December 2022, which represented a surplus of 109% as its annual budget was RM258.3mil.

Noraini said MPK’s emphasis was on building a sustainable and liveable city focused on community empowerment.

“Our employees are reminded to improve their work quality to achieve Klang’s city status goal,” she said.

A significant factor that was often cited as a shortcoming in Klang’s application to become a city was the absence of a university.

However, MPK’s Corporate Communications Department director Norfiza Mahfiz pointed out that the town had several international schools, two government higher education institutions – Kolej Islam Sultan Alam Shah and Klang Vocational College – as well as 10 private colleges.

MPK’s steadfast efforts in working towards attaining city status has been welcomed by residents.

Pensioner Yusoff Abdul Samad, 85, who lives in Kampung Sungai Udang, hoped the change in status would spur Klang’s economic regeneration.

“As a city, more local and foreign companies will operate here.

“This will translate into more job opportunities.

“Our youth will benefit as they will no longer have to travel far for work,” he added.

Yusoff said MPK must improve the infrastructure, especially roads, and widen pavements to make Klang city centre pedestrian-friendly.

“I hope MPK will not increase the assessment rates when accorded city status,” said the former Public Works Department employee.

Nor Hisham Mohd Yusoff, 47, who works with a car accessory company, said it was good MPK would be going ahead with city status.

“It will help businesses like mine as more investments will mean better opportunities for Klang residents,” he said.

Security firm employee Tamil Selvi Mohan, 37, said city status would raise Klang’s image.

“Public transport needs to be improved so that there will be fewer single-occupant vehicles and that in turn will reduce our carbon footprint,” she said.

Ex-sportsman Serjeet Singh said city status would mean greater opportunities for sports and cultural activities.

“More tournaments and festivals will lead to a greater number of domestic and foreign tourists, which will boost the local economy,” he said.

Secondary school student Aisy Rayyend Aidil, 14, is also excited about Klang becoming a city, saying it will encourage innovation.

Resident Sabrina Lim, 43, said that with city status, Klang should have better roads and a cleaner environment.

“It will be a real game-changer for Klang and I expect the quality of public services to improve,” she said.

College student Chua Vincent, 20, said policymakers at the local council-level must establish higher standards for a better urban environment.

“The council needs to up its game and improve rubbish collection as well as cleaning of public areas,” he said.

Muhamad Shah Danish, 20, noted that Central Teluk Pulai now had new pavements and resurfaced roads.

“With city status, I want to see this upgrade replicated throughout Klang,” he said.

Bandar Parklands resident Shamly Sithiaselan, 30, said the public transport system in Klang was poor.

“We need feeder buses from train stations going to more neighbourhoods.

“With this, more people will opt for public transport and it will help reduce traffic congestion on our roads,” she said.

Kampung Sungai Kembong Residents Association president Hashim Sibelik said that once it had become a city council, MPK should make more efforts to engage with ratepayers regularly.

“They must listen to residents’ views because as city dwellers, our expectations will be higher,” said the Pulau Indah resident.