SHAH ALAM (June 14): The Selangor government has crafted a five-year action plan to improve the services of eight local councils in the state.
The action plan encompasses six aspects across the areas of governance, public safety, enforcement and public facilities.
The eight local councils are the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA), Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ), Klang Municipal Council (MPK), Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj), Sepang Municipal Council (MPSp), Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) and the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ).
Selangor state executive councillor for local government, research and studies Datuk Teng Chang Khim said today the remaining four local councils – Hulu Selangor District Council, Hulu Langat District Council, Kuala Langat District Council and Sabak Bernam District Council – will be able to implement the plan slowly as the councils lack strong finances.
"With this plan, we have a clear vision of what happens in five years," he said at a press conference after visiting the MBSA here.
"We want concrete things to be presented to the people," he added.
Teng said the first aspect that these local councils need to address is to improve its auditing and payment system as well as building a positive image.
He said business licence fees and the licences for the swiflet industry will be streamlined.
"We will be meeting with stakeholders in the industry before making a decision," he added.
Teng also said the local councils will have to upgrade 500 fields in residential areas, by providing stone benches, solar lights, four sets of outdoor gym facilities as well as facilities for children's games.
"The target for the councils is to upgrade two fields in each state constituency every year," he added.
He said local councils spent thousands of ringgit every year to upgrade fields and open spaces but the public do not get to enjoy the benefits as they are marred by vandalism and so on.
In terms of governance, Teng said every local council will be required to telecast its full board meetings live on its website.
The local councils have until the end of August to upgrade its software to implement such a facility, he added.
"A lot of people have said they don't know what's happening in the local councils. The people always think the heads of local councils are not performing and discussing important issues. This is a way to address that.
"We are doing this in the spirit of the Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation. This will increase the accountability and transparency of our councils," he added.
The local councils will also have to implement policies in the Selangor Pakatan Rakyat manifesto such as offering an inter-city or municipality bus service, increasing its enforcement officers, installing more closed-circuit camera television (CCTV) systems and upgrading of wet markets.
The local councils will be given two months to come up with a working paper for the bus services and to also hire more enforcement officers, he said.
On the CCTVs, Teng said the state government will be installing 414 systems statewide but it was insufficient to ensure public safety.
"We are approaching banks as well, to install cameras outside their buildings as part of their CSR," he added.
As for local council staff, they can look forward to better welfare as the councils will be studying and implementing measures to improve their employment options over the next five years.
Source: fz.com
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