By Yasmin Ramlan
SHAH ALAM, Dec 28 — The Klang Municipal Council (MPK) must rise to whatever challenges come their way next year to ensure the former state capital emerges as an outstanding city once its status is upgraded.
Speaking at the council’s final monthly meeting for the year, its president Noraini Roslan emphasised the need for the local authority to be thoroughly prepared to face any obstacles once it gains city recognition.
She also thanked all the relevant agencies for ensuring the council’s seamless operation throughout the year.
“As the primary agency on the front line, MPK must be fully prepared and devise strategic measures to face the various challenges in 2024 once Klang transitions into a city.
“Collaborating with all stakeholders is very much needed in making Klang a clean, harmonious, and liveable city,” Noraini said during the wrap-up of MPK’s efforts and initiatives for the year.
Today’s meeting was live-streamed on the council’s Facebook page.
Previously, in July, MPK received Cabinet approval for its city upgrade after meeting the necessary criteria, including a sustainable income and boasting top-notch public infrastructure facilities, given its large population of 1.1 million people.
Once the upgrade is done, it will facilitate the official formation of Greater Klang Valley, encompassing four cities in the state, namely Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya, Shah Alam, and Klang.
On November 10, Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari announced plans to introduce an enactment to formalise the conurbation’s creation.
The 133-year-old council, originally established as the Klang Health Board in 1890, will be the country’s 20th city once it obtains approval from the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj.
Meanwhile, Noraini said MPK organised a focus group discussion on December 14 at the Premiere Hotel in Klang to dive deeper into its proposed Pedestrian and Cycling Master Plan.
“This is one of our initiatives towards making Klang a sustainable city. The purpose of the discussion is to gather suggestions and perspectives on pedestrian and bicycle lanes within MPK’s administrative areas.
“Apart from focusing on upgrading current pedestrian and bicycle lanes, the discussion also encompassed proposals for new lanes,” she said.
Doing so will ensure the seamless connectivity of pedestrian and bicycle lanes, which will be developed in phases until 2030.
Separately, Noraini said MPK held a recent town hall session with illegal factory operators to identify their issues, as many of them have yet to register their businesses.
“The town hall was attended by a total of 732 people and was officiated by state executive councillor for local government Dato’ Ng Suee Lim,” she said.
