PENANG is all set to become the only state in the country to attain a full-fledged city status after the largest municipality on mainland – Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) – has been upgraded.
Seberang Perai, covering an area of 747.8sq km, is the largest municipality in the country with a population of 946,200.
The state has two local councils, the other being the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) which was accorded the city council status in 2015.
With the state’s application to attain city council status for MPSP already being approved by the Cabinet, a new era of development is in store following its upgrading.
Sharing the good news with the media, state Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said Penang would be first state to receive city status after both its local councils obtained the city council status.
Out of 155 local councils nationwide, there are now a total of 13 city councils.
MPSP will become the 14th council to be accorded such privilege, according to Jagdeep.
“Penang is very lucky that two of its local authorities received city council status.
“Every inch of the state is now a city. We are now hundred percent city status.
“It will be a Hari Raya Aidilfitri present to the people of Seberang Perai,” he said at a press conference in MPSP headquarters in Bandar Perda, Bukit Mertajam today.
Also present were MPSP president Datuk Rozali Mohamud, MBPP mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang and MPSP councillors.
However, Jagdeep said an official announcement would probably be made in two or three weeks’ time in accordance to formality process.
According to him, the proper procedures are to wait for an official letter from Housing and Local Government Ministry before endorsing it in the executive council meeting.
“Then, we also need to decide on the first mayor for mainland,” he said.
On plans ahead for mainland, Jagdeep pointed out a scheduled meeting would be held to discuss efforts to bring the council to greater heights.
“We are planning to come out with a master plan for major infrastructure to take place here,” he added.
Jagdeep said both MPSP and MBPP had won several awards, including the five-star rating again in 2018 by the Housing and Local Government Ministry.
“It’s easy to get to the top but it’s another thing to remain at the top. I want them to continue to provide quality service to the people,” he said.
At her function in Penang on Sunday, Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin was reportedly saying that MPSP would be upgraded to a city council.
She said the Cabinet had approved the application last week.
Rozali, meanwhile, thanked the Federal Government for the recognition and honour given to Seberang Perai and also the state government for supporting MPSP initiatives towards building a smart state.
“It’s a collective effort by everyone involved to realise the dreams of people from Seberang Perai,” he said, adding the MPSP would strive to do its best.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Law Suun Ting