ABOUT 220 residents took part in a ‘town hall’ dialogue session on Budget MPSP 2020 at The Light Hotel in Seberang Jaya on April 6.
The dialogue session was organised by the Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP).
State Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh, who joined in the opening session, said only a smart state could serve the ‘rakyat’ and uplift the people’s basic needs.
“In order to realise an international standard of service, MPSP must ensure that the infrastructure, environment, urban management and community facilities are well managed to meet the high expectations of the state government, residents, workers and investors as well.
“I am really proud of MPSP’s effort for holding this ‘town hall’ dialogue session, which is a precious opportunity for the Seberang Perai residents to voice their views, opinions and ideas. It is a platform to interact directly with the MPSP,” Jagdeep said in his speech.
He also requested MPSP president Datuk Rozali Mohamud to consider raising the allowance of MPSP councillors, adding that they have been working very hard to ensure MPSP’s plans and agendas succeed.
Rozali said this was the seventh year MPSP conducted the budget dialogue session with the community.
“In fact, this session will encourage community participation in the MPSP programmmes and lead us to provide better and good governance.
“The dialogue session is to ensure that each cent spent by MPSP is for the Seberang Perai residents,” Rozali added.
Some of the residents voiced their various needs such as upgrading of public amenities, increasing employment opportunies, giving priority to the differently-abled people (OKU), implementing green environment initiatives and increasing the establishment of non-govermental organisations.
Also were present were Berapit assemblyman Heng Lee Lee, representatives from government and private agencies, NGOs, ThinkCity, Penang Women Development Corporation (PWDC) and Village Community Management Council (MPKK), Women and Family Development Committee (JPWK), MPSP councillors and other invited guests.
Story & pix by K.Thaarshenii