IPOH: Ipoh City Council (MBI) was announced the best local government for 2016.
This was based on a star-rating system by Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Ministry, which was aimed at motivating municipal councils to improve their services.
MBI received a five-star rating with a score of 97.45 based on a rigid screening process with 354 criteria, beating 148 other municipal councils in Malaysia.
Among the criteria in the checklist are cleanliness, infrastructure, public amenities, media relations and programmes held for the community.
Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar said out of the total, 41 local councils were awarded with five-star rating.
He said apart from efforts put by the councils, stakeholders play a crucial role in ensuring the respective areas were well-taken care of.
"We want the newly-established Residents' Representatives Committees (Jawatankuasa Perwakilan Penduduk or JPP) to be our eye and ears in the respective zone. The representatives are able to convey information from the local council to the residents as they are the ones who deal directly with them.
"JPPs should also report municipal-related issues immediately to assist the councils in carrying out corrective measures, say, irregular garbage collection.
"We are also planning to have best residential scheme award next year, in addition to the Desa Terbaik (best village) competition. As for the councils, we hope that they will step up efforts to improve their services to the public," he said, congratulating MBI after handing over mock cheque of RM200,000 to Ipoh Mayor Datuk Zamri Man.
Noh had earlier handed appointment letters to JPP representatives for 260 zones in Perak.
Out of the 15 local councils in Perak, eight of them received 5-star rating, apart from MBI, namely, Manjung Municipal Council, Batu Gajah District Council, Taiping Municipal Council, Kampar District Council, Teluk Intan Municipal Council and Kuala Kangsar Municipal Council.
Five others were rated four-star, two received a two-star rating and the other three were rated two-star.
At the event, a TN50 dialogue was also held, with focus on livability, improving quality of living, affordable housing, cleanliness and efficient delivery of service by the government agencies.
TEAMWORK KEY TO SUCCESS - IPOH MAYOR
Ipoh Mayor Datuk Zamri Man attributed MBI's success to the excellent teamwork by council's staff and cooperation by the public.
He said the victory is even meaningful for him as it was the first time MBI ever rated 5-star by the ministry since the system was introduced in 2008.
"Everyone here - from the top management, council staff as well as the residents and businesses played their role in making Ipoh the best municipality.
"Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir was especially supportive in efforts by municipal councils to improve our services and even went to the ground to give words of encouragement to our staff.
"Apart from good governance and efficiency in daily operations, the criteria by the ministry include feedback from the stakeholders. The public was asked in a survey whether the councils attended to their complaints immediately and if they were happy with the services. We will continue to work hard to improve services rendered to our stakeholders," he said.
He hoped that all quarters could play a role in maintaining the council's achievement by keeping the place clean and free from vandalism, as well as reporting any municipal issues in their neighbourhood to the council immediately.
Ipoh residents shared words of encouragement with MBI upon learning about the news.
Civil servant Nur Farhana Alias, 38, said the menteri besar had played a huge part in the council's achievement as "he is always stressing the importance of hygiene and cleanliness."
"I have read news reports on Zambry showing good example by joining council workers to sweep the streets. I couldn't be happier when I found out that my city was declared the best in Malaysia.
"The council workers too, have been working day and night in keeping the environment clean, drains free of food waste and that the rubbish bins are emptied regularly," she said.
Roti canai maker, K. Ramesh, 62, said he had been to other cities in the country but none compared to Ipoh.
"Ipoh is well-deserving to receive such award. Everyone behind this success is working their level best to achieve it. I was born and grew up here, so I am proud of when my city received such award. I hope Ipoh would remain at the top of the ranking and become the cleanest city in Malaysia," he said.
#Top 10 local councils in 2016
1. MB Ipoh
2. MB Pulau Pinang
3. MB Johor Bahru
4. MP Subang Jaya
5. MP Kluang
6. MB Petaling Jaya
7. MP Sepang
8. MP Kota Bharu
9. MP Manjung
10. MP Kajang