Kamarulzaman (left) presenting Mahadi with a framed painting of Kuala Lumpur. – Photos: LOW LAY PHON/The Star
AFTER nearly four decades of service, Datuk Seri Mahadi Che Ngah, 64, bid goodbye to Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
He describes his 30-month tenure as Kuala Lumpur mayor as challenging but also the highlight of his public service career.
“Three-quarters of my life was dedicated towards serving the capital and overseeing various aspects of its development.
“It was an honour to have been part of the family in charge of steering the evolution of Kuala Lumpur,” he said in his farewell speech.
Mahadi highlighted his achievements when helming DBKL from October 2020 to March 2023.
He made note of the various efforts undertaken to address flash floods in the capital as well as plans to make Kuala Lumpur a low-carbon city.
Mahadi, who started his career in DBKL in April 1983 as a town planner, was DBKL executive director (Planning) before retiring in 2018.
In the interim he was hired as a consultant by DBKL before being appointed mayor on October 2020 on a two-year contract.
Rosida putting a ceremonial chain on Kamarulzaman.
His tenure, which was supposed to end on Sept 30, 2022, was extended for six months until March 31.
When DBKL was under the Federal Territories Ministry, Mahadi served under two ministers, namely Tan Sri Annuar Musa and Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim.
When he clocked out for the last time yesterday at the DBKL headquarters, he was swarmed by well-wishers and staff.
New Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Kamarulzaman Mat Salleh clocked in for the first time later.
Earlier, there was a handover of duty ceremony between the former and current mayors, which was also attended by Federal Territories Department director-general Datuk Seri Rosida Jaafar and aide to the Prime Minister, Azman Abidin.
During the ceremony, Rosida put a ceremonial chain on Kamarulzaman to signify the taking on of mayoral duties while Mahadi presented him with a replica of a keris.
Kamarulzaman then presented Mahadi with a framed painting of Kuala Lumpur as a gift.
Rosida, in her speech, expressed hope that Kamarulzaman would continue implementing initiatives pledged and planned during Mahadi’s tenure.
