SHAH ALAM, Jan 7 — State executive councillor for local government and tourism Dato’ Ng Suee Lim has urged local councils to expedite reforms and digitalisation to reduce red tape and improve the efficiency and quality of the public service.
He said that the next two years are important as the people’s expectations for the state government and local councils are growing.
“I have set up an integrated planning committee to standardise local council operation guidelines and finalise guidelines for the One-Stop Centre 3.0, which has shortened planning permit approvals from three months to just 14 days,” he added.
Ng said the move ensures local councils in Selangor move more uniformly, and allows public complaints to be addressed more quickly.
He explained that the state government will introduce more people- and business-friendly initiatives to realise the aim of making Selangor a digitalisation-based developed state.
New councillors to be sworn in by Jan 10
Meanwhile, Ng said 288 new councillors across Selangor’s 12 local councils will be sworn in by January 10. The new faces will serve for two years, from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027.
He added that the state government has marked clear progress in appointing local councillors this time, thanks to better cooperation from relevant parties, which allowed the list of candidates to be submitted to local councils by as early as January.
According to Ng, only two or three positions are still vacant, but the candidate list is being processed and appointments will be finalised soon.
“Based on my estimate, around 97 per cent of new councillors will start performing their duties as soon as they take their oaths,” he told Media Selangor.
The appointment of councillors for each term involves transitions and restructuring in line with political parties’ needs and internal standards, he said.
Ng expressed hope that councillors perform their duties responsibly, play an effective role in the local government system, and do their best for their parties, the state government, and local community.
“Councillors are the front line who connect directly with the community and must work closely with community leaders, residents’ associations, and local residents.
“They are responsible for communicating the state government’s policies and initiatives to the people, and listen and channel community feedback with patience,” he advised.
Councillors to take oaths in stages
In Ampang Jaya, 24 councillors took their oaths on January 2, including eight new faces, with seven women making up 30 per cent of the line-up.
In Kuala Langat, 12 new councillors took their oaths on Monday, while the remaining 12 will be sworn in later.
The Sabak Bernam District Council (MDSB) saw 22 councillors — 14 men and eight women — sworn in on Monday.
Meanwhile, Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ), Shah Alam City Council (MBSA), Sepang Municipal Council (MPSepang), Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj), and Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) members will take their oaths on Friday.
