By P. Chandra Sagaran
Ipoh City Mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin @Md Daud is moving out after serving in the post for five years.
His replacement is not known yet.
As an Administrative and Diplomatic officer can be seconded to other posts for a five-year term.
Rumaizi, 50, had completed his time of service.
His last day as the Mayor will be March 31 after being appointed to the post on April 1, 2020.
He replaced Datuk Ahmad Suaidi Abdul Rahim who was then appointed as the Perak State Secretary.
When asked about his memorable moments during his service, he said:” it was the Covid -19 pandemic which had already set in and we have to tackle the issue.
“It was poverty and we have to find ways to overcome it otherwise the issue will lead to crime and other immoral activities.
Speaking to reporters after chairing the council’s full board meeting for the last time,he said:”When I assumed the post I found out Ipoh was among the cities with the largest group of poor people.
“We had to work together to eradicate the problem, apart from the pandemic political issues that came in but we have to go on,”he added.
He is looking forward to the 500 years of Perak Sultanate celebrations in 2028, development of digital infrastructure and development of human capital.
Ipoh City has won several awards and recognition not only in the country but also internationally.
His proudest achievement was when Ipoh won the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour in 2024.
The council were among five other recipients who were awarded the honours in Queretaro, Mexico.
Malaysia had three winners in the past, one of which is Ipoh City.
The award is for the city’s transition from a resource-intensive economy to a regenerative model focused on health,waste management,and ecotourism,all while aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals into a “Doughnut City”.