OUTGOING Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang delivered an inspiring swan song speech during today’s local government’s ordinary meeting at City Hall.
It was the final ordinary meeting chaired by him.
Yew will be undergoing mandatory retirement next month (May) and will be handing over his responsibility to the current MBPP secretary Datuk A. Rajendran.
“I recalled saying that I would strengthen the council’s ‘Smart City Blueprint’ under my leadership. My speech, which was made on Jan 22, 2018, during the swearing-in ceremony as mayor, stressed that the council would focus on five domains – Smart E-Governance, Smart Mobility, Smart Environment, Smart Economy and Smart Social.
“The five domains continue to be a guide to the council’s planning decision until today,” he said.
Yew added that MBPP and the Penang government aimed at turning Penang island into a city of excellence through MBPP’s Intelligent, Livable and Happy City (ILHam) model and the Penang2030 vision.
He also highlighted several key projects under his leadership which included the transformation of back and side lanes, the construction of an over 200km bicycle lanes network, the unique Harapan Bridge near Queensbay Mall which is equipped with solar panels, the Business Improvement District Scheme (BIDS) project, and the MakerSpace@MBPP project.
Yew, who is also the Malaysian Association of Local Authorities (MALA) president, said he would hand over his position to the next MBPP mayor (Rajendran) upon his retirement.
“It is my fervent hope that Rajendran will continue to lead the local governments through this platform. The upcoming MALA annual general meeting will be held in June this year.
“It is to note that since the association was established in 2000, the MALA president post has always been held by the president or mayor from Penang. Former Penang State Secretary Datuk Seri Farizan Darus once expressed his pride in this matter.
“It is hoped that this continuity can be carried on. We hope for the best outcome in the MALA AGM in June,” he said.
Yew said he had also submitted a ‘wish list’ to Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming in February this year.
“The minister has requested me, as the mayor of MBPP and the MALA president, to send him a ‘wish list’ and I replied to him the next day.
“I focused on low-carbon city projects and initiatives which could combat climate crises.
“Among the proposed initiatives were nature-based climate adaptation solutions, flood mitigation and monitoring projects, the use of renewable energy, smart city initiatives, solid waste management projects, first and last mile green mobility projects, the water taxi and city shuttle project, an ageing society policy, traffic management solutions, and the EV Ready City roadmap,” he said.
He thanked the Penang government for the mandate given.
“I also appreciate the support from all of you – the councillors, MBPP staff and the public.
“I hope that the council will continue its transformation plan to make Penang a better state for everyone. Thank you,” he concluded.
MBPP councillors, department heads and staff took the chance to wish him farewell after the meeting.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat and Christopher Tan