The Star, Tuesday October 2, 2012
MPKj councillors agree to let media cover budget meeting after discussion
THE Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) budget meeting
started with much drama when councillors left the meeting room to
discuss whether to allow the press to sit in.
This was the first time such a question arose as the media attended last year’s budget meeting without any fuss.
After several minutes of deliberation, councillors agreed to allow the press to remain.
Council president Datuk Hassan Nawawi Abdul Rahman said the budget meeting was open to the press.
“A resolution is needed if it is to be changed into a closed-door meeting,” he said.
During the meeting, the council reported that it had achieved a balanced budget of RM154mil this year and would have a balanced budget of RM189mil for 2013.
The council generated RM83mil from assessment collection this year and expects to generate RM80mil next year.
The reduced expectation is due to the 25% discount in assessment payment for low-cost housing.
However, the discount is only applicable for houseowners residing in the houses and not the units rented out.
Hassan said the council would receive RM16mil in compensation for the council town hall that was expected to be demolished in February.
“However, if the general election takes place in March, we may request for the hall to be demolished in April.
“A new town hall will be built on a piece of council land in Saujana Impian. Building costs are estimated at RM6mil. Although the new town hall is far away from the town centre, it is better as it will be less congested,” he said.
He added that the council had saved RM6mil after taking over waste collection and public cleaning duties from Alam Flora.
“However, we still need to look into the matter of bulk waste, garden waste and industrial waste. We are looking into charging for garden waste collection.
“To increase revenue, the council will collect licensing fee from eateries that place tables and chairs on the walkway,” said Hassan.
This was the first time such a question arose as the media attended last year’s budget meeting without any fuss.
After several minutes of deliberation, councillors agreed to allow the press to remain.
Council president Datuk Hassan Nawawi Abdul Rahman said the budget meeting was open to the press.
“A resolution is needed if it is to be changed into a closed-door meeting,” he said.
During the meeting, the council reported that it had achieved a balanced budget of RM154mil this year and would have a balanced budget of RM189mil for 2013.
The council generated RM83mil from assessment collection this year and expects to generate RM80mil next year.
The reduced expectation is due to the 25% discount in assessment payment for low-cost housing.
However, the discount is only applicable for houseowners residing in the houses and not the units rented out.
Hassan said the council would receive RM16mil in compensation for the council town hall that was expected to be demolished in February.
“However, if the general election takes place in March, we may request for the hall to be demolished in April.
“A new town hall will be built on a piece of council land in Saujana Impian. Building costs are estimated at RM6mil. Although the new town hall is far away from the town centre, it is better as it will be less congested,” he said.
He added that the council had saved RM6mil after taking over waste collection and public cleaning duties from Alam Flora.
“However, we still need to look into the matter of bulk waste, garden waste and industrial waste. We are looking into charging for garden waste collection.
“To increase revenue, the council will collect licensing fee from eateries that place tables and chairs on the walkway,” said Hassan.
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