By P. Chandra Sagaran
The new mayor of Ipoh City Council, Tuan Zamakhshari Hanipah took oath of office as the 13th Ipoh City Mayor at the Ipoh City Council meeting hall here on April 18.
Housing and Local Government Committee Chairman Sandrea Ng Shy Ching witnessed the ceremony attended by council’s heads of departments and councillors.
He replaced Datuk Rumaizi Baharin @ Md Daud who completed his duty on March 31. Rumaizi served as the 12th mayor from April 1,2020.
Meanwhile, Zamakhshari was the former National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) Deputy Director General (Disaster Preparation and Planning) in the Prime Minister’s Department.
He also held the position of National Solid Waste Management Department Director-General, Road Transport Department Deputy Director General (Management) and director of National Security Councils in Terengganu and Selangor.
The new mayor also served in Perak as the Hulu Perak Gerik district officer and Gerik District Council President and Perak National Security Council Assistant Director.
His new posting took effect on April 16.
In her speech at the ceremony,Ng paid tribute to Rumaizi for his excellent service and enhancing the city administration.
She noted that the new mayor who took office recently had to face an issue whereby enforcement officers’ action against a food premise drew several reactions.
She commended the new mayor and the council in handling the issue swiftly through responsible discussions without prolonging the anxiety and tension.
“Finding a solution is not due to external pressure or to calm down the situation but an approach which considers all aspects comprehensively.
On the appointment of the new mayor,she said,”It is a challenging job as the expectations and demands from the residents are increasing.
“The council has to go on a paradigm shift to provide excellent service and make Ipoh as Bandaraya Bestari Sejahtera,”she added.
Meanwhile Zamakhshari in a press statement said he would ensure the responsibility of the council is the basic priorities.
They include garbage issues, drains, grass, maintenance of public facilities like potholes .
This is to make Ipoh a lively, clean, people and environmentally friendly city.
He will also strengthen ties with the palace, federal and state governments and all those involved in developing the city.
He ensured all programmes and initiatives towards Ipoh Bestari Sejahtera would continue and be enhanced.
All services must be ensured that it reaches the target on time while all planning and projects must be smoothly implemented.