Kamarulzaman has his work cut out for him as the new Kuala Lumpur mayor.
STAKEHOLDERS in Kuala Lumpur want the new mayor to take a no-nonsense approach in running the city while also ensuring high integrity.
Effective April 17, Datuk Kamarulzaman Mat Salleh will head the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) as the 14th mayor.
The 59-year-old is currently DBKL executive director (Project Management) and has been with the local authority for 32 years.
Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, who served as DBKL advisory board member from 1992 to 2008, said Kamarulzaman was the right man for the job.
“Having served in DBKL for years, he knows its inner workings and will be able to improve its governance.
“He can provide the leadership needed in meeting new challenges facing the capital city,” he told StarMetro.Lee, however, stressed that Kamarulzaman must ensure speedy completion of the plans that were made under the previous mayor.
He said issues related to climate change such as flash floods and drainage upgrades must remain the new mayor’s top priority.
Save Kuala Lumpur chairman Datuk M. Ali hoped the new mayor would prioritise the people’s well-being when drafting new plans and projects.
He was referring to the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2040 and Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2040 – both currently being drafted.
“We are not against development, but they must place the needs of residents first in all decisions taken.
“Kuala Lumpur must be liveable and safe, not just from criminal activities, but also the harm caused by poor city planning,” he said.
He added that green spaces, proper public transportation system and affordable housing must be DBKL’s main focus.
The new mayor would have more freedom in executing his vision as DBKL is no longer under the (former) Federal Territories Ministry, Ali added.
Kepong community activist Yee Poh Ping said Kamarulzaman must be open to criticism and cultivate a strong relationship with local communities.
“He needs to go down to the ground and engage with ordinary folk as they may have ideas for improvements.
“Many issues in Kuala Lumpur have been highlighted in the media and are awaiting action from DBKL,” he stressed.
Yee said issues such as poor road condition, roadside trading, lack of green areas and frequent breakdown of lifts at low-cost flats must be given attention.
Kamarulzaman obtained his degree in Surveying (Property Management) from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and started his career at DBKL in 1991.
His appointment as mayor was announced on April 13 by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali.
The tenure of previous mayor Datuk Seri Mahadi Che Ngah ended on March 31.
He was the 13th Kuala Lumpur mayor and was appointed in October 2020 for a two-year contract.
However, Mahadi’s tenure, which was supposed to end on Sept 30 last year, was extended for six months.
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Lee says issues like flash floods and drainage upgrades must remain a top priority.
Ali says the mayor needs to prioritise the people’s well-being when drafting new plans and projects.
Yee suggests the mayor talk to ordinary folk, who may have ideas for improvements.
