Story by Amanda Khong
FINALLY after seven years of experiencing a total deficit of RM230 million before 2008, Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) recorded financial surplus of RM4.15 million in 2012, RM2.74 million in 2013 and RM0.17 million in 2014.
“Hopefully management based on Outcome-Based Budgeting (OBB) in the Local Authorities (PBT) finance administrative management is capable of sustaining the surplus record. Instead of using RM1 million funds to build some nonsense such as the world’s tallest flag pole, use the funds to build and upgrade roads for the people,” said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng during the swearing-in ceremony of MPSP councillors on Jan 8.
Also present at the event were Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Mohd. Rashid Hasnon, Deputy Chief Minister II Prof. P. Ramasamy, MPSP president Datuk Maimunah Mohd. Sharif and the state exco members.
With regards to OBB, Lim added that MPSP was willing to completely take over the solid waste cleaning management in 2015 even bearing higher cost, because that move will give more opportunities to local residents.
“If compared to 2011, we had to bear extra 50% cost when we completely took over the solid waste cleaning management but this is more beneficial for our people as all our general employees are local citizens and no longer foreign workers,” Lim added.
The recorded cost of cleaning in 2011 including the contracted foreign workers accumulated to RM48,668,435.
After MPSP completely took over the solid waste management with all local employees, the total cost increased by 54.5% or RM26,546,363 which made it a grand total of RM75,214,797.
Maimunah also revealed the Gross Development Value (GDV) for real estate development projects approved by MPSP in 2012 amounted to RM2,512,956,400, followed by RM1,669,385,182 in 2013 and RM483,880,000 in 2014.
“On the other hand, GDV produced during the period of January till November 2015 accumulated to RM826,300,000,” added Maimunah.
Back when the state government was under Barisan Nasional before 2008, MPSP recorded a deficit for seven years continuously.
Ten new councillors chosen this year were Muhamad Suzuki Ahmad, Alias Wan Chek, Amar Pritpal Abdullah, Anuar Yusoff, Goh Choon Aik, Heng Yeh Shiuan, K. Kumar, Ong Jing Cheng, Shuhada Abdul Rahim, and Zulkiply Ishak.
Muhamad Suzuki, 48, said this appointment is a new challenge for him.
“I used to work as a clerk at a trading company so this will be a new challenge for me. I would like to set my focus on traffic management especially on the Alma and Bukit Minyak area. I will do my best to improve the problem at hand,” he said during an interview with Buletin Mutiara.}