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The KUALA Lumpur City Council (DBKL) will likely see a change in leadership next month when Mayor Datuk Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan’s contract ends on October 2.
Sources who spoke to StarMetro, on condition of anonymity, said the new city chief would likely be an internal candidate for DBKL.
There is much talk that the public authorities have already chosen their candidate to become the thirteenth mayor of Kuala Lumpur.
The word is that this person is someone who is well versed in the workings of local government and well acquainted with local statutes, having been working there for decades since starting as a junior officer before rapidly rising through the ranks. .
DBKL had to deal with a Covid-19 group in these apartment blocks in Kuala Lumpur. – Filepic
This potential candidate has also served as a director of various departments throughout his career at DBKL.
While Nor Hisham, 64, has recently hinted that he hopes to take a much-needed break when his term ends, some quarters feel the country’s capital is still grappling with life amid the Covid-19 pandemic, so that now is not the time for a change of leadership to rule this great city.
Many feel that Nor Hisham, who was appointed on October 2, 2018, following an unprecedented change of government in May, not only brings with him 40 years of civil service experience working in various government agencies, but is also the The only mayor to have served under two different governments.
He is also the first DBKL official to take office as mayor after a year in retirement, when he received the government’s offer to return and serve the country.
His last job in the civil service was as chairman of the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ).
A DBKL agent sealing a business premises illegally run by undocumented foreigners. – Filepic
“He has the unique experience of being the first mayor to serve under two governments and to govern the city during a time of great challenge,” said a senior DBKL official who asked to remain anonymous.
“It has not been an easy 2020 with the pandemic and the management of stubborn citizens who refuse to follow standard operating procedures and, at the same time, are faced with the situation of a large homeless population and illegal aliens doing business in the city.
But Nor Hisham took on these challenges well.
“He has managed to remain calm and composed and has shown good leadership over the last year.
“The question now is, do we want to rock the boat?” The officer said.
Despite the fact that his contract ends in less than three weeks and that he has accumulated annual leave to clear, Nor Hisham appears to be still in full mayor mode.
StarMetro is told that the mayor continues to diligently attend meetings and events at DBKL and is conducting interviews for new staff.
Muruga believes that there will be a new mayor soon because the position is a political appointment.
He also reportedly continues to attend departmental and post-Cabinet meetings.
“He’s certainly not loosening up and falling behind.
“On the other hand, he is a workaholic and does not like to leave things hanging,” added the officer.
Kampung Kasipillay Rukun Tetangga committee secretary Muruga Rajan Lingappan said that Nor Hisham was a good man and a good officer with an impressive track record.
“However, his appointment is political and that is why I do not think he will be retained,” he said.
Hor says the ruling government will want to be involved in naming candidates to head government agencies.
Cynthia Hor, a resident of Taman Seputeh, shared Muruga’s sentiments and said that in the case of political appointments, the government in power would want its own people to take command of government positions.
“Look at the current scenario, all the companies linked to the government and the statutory bodies have had a change of presidency since the new government came to power and this is for a better control of policies such as housing,” he added.
If Nor Hisham is not offered a new contract, the question of who will be the next mayor of Kuala Lumpur is up in the air.
Rumors that the next mayor will be someone from DBKL make sense, as the candidate will have to be someone who has worked long enough to appreciate and understand the functioning of the city’s administrative body.
“He or she must also have the respect of their staff and colleagues,” said the DBKL senior officer who spoke to StarMetro.
A homeless man sleeping in the bedroom of a building in the city center, oblivious to pedestrians and traffic. – Filepic
There have only been two DBKL officers in the history of the City Council who have been appointed mayors of Kuala Lumpur.
The first was Datuk Ruslin Hasan in 2004 and the second was Tan Sri Amin Nordin in 2015.
The rest were officials from various government agencies.
Another important point to note is that the appointment of retired civil servants is not uncommon in Malaysia.
Will 2020 be the year of a third date from within?
Possible successor
If one were to follow the reasoning that the city needs a mayor who is well versed in DBKL bylaws and the way things are run in the largest local authority in the country, sources from both DBKL and the Ministry of Territories Feds say four names have been shortlisted for mayor.
According to sources, the list of names running for mayor includes DBKL (Socio-Economic Development) executive director Datuk Ibrahim Yusoff.
Ibrahim is known to work well with various ministers and is often referred to as a tolerant but tough guy.
He has served under numerous Federal Territories mayors and ministers.
He was a director of various departments at DBKL before being promoted to CEO.
DBKL established a temporary center for homeless aliens as a proactive measure to help prevent the further spread of Covid-19. – Filepic
Ibrahim will retire in November, but that doesn’t preclude him from being a likely candidate for mayor.
The 11th mayor, Amin Nordin, was appointed the same month he was about to retire.
Another notable candidate is former DBKL (Planning) CEO Datuk Mahadi Che Ngah.
After his retirement, he was appointed planning advisor to DBKL to assist the mayor in matters related to the Kuala Lumpur Development Plan 2040 (KL2040DP).
While Mahadi had worked for most of his 30-year career in DBKL’s Planning Department, he was appointed CEO of Kampung Baru Development Corporation (PKB) in 2015 for two years before being transferred back to DBKL.
Neither Hisham has the unique experience of ruling a city in the midst of a pandemic. – Filepic
Another name being joked about is the former Secretary-General for Federal Territories, Datuk Seri Adnan Mohd Ikhsan.
Adnan, who had also served as Chairman of the Subang Jaya Municipal Council from 2006 to 2011, joined the ministry in 2011 and retired in November 2018.
It is undeniable that he has extensive experience in local government affairs and, under the Ministry of Federal Territories, led several illegal operations in Kuala Lumpur called Ops BAH.
Also worth mentioning on the list is Undersecretary General of the Federal Territories (Administration and Sosio-Economy) Datuk Wan Ahmad Uzir Wan Sulaiman, who also brings with him vast experience and knowledge.
He had also been deputy general manager (Planning and Operations) in the Department of Road Transport.
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