Maimunah Aspires To Upgrade Hawkers' Centre, Provides More Sustainable Environment For City Dwellers

By Nurhafizah Tan

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 24 (Bernama) -- Upgrading the level and quality of business and hawker centres to create a more sustainable environment for the city dwellers 's citizens is one of the aspirations of the newly-appointed Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Maimunah Mohd Sharif.

She was appointed to the position last Thursday, making her the first woman to hold the post.

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Maimunah, 63, expressed her desire to improve facilities at business and hawker centres under the jurisdiction of Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL)in line with the wishes of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who aims to elevate the status of small-income earners, particularly traders.

 "The city dwellers need economic activities that can generate income and we want them and traders to get world-class services, including in terms of cleanliness. 

"I strongly agree that progress is not only measured by the construction of tall buildings, but we need to also look at what is 'below' (the population)," she told Bernama. 

The former Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), who is from Negeri Sembilan, is also committed to promoting and enhancing the image of Kuala Lumpur, which will be chairing ASEAN next year.

The former mayor of the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) also aims to empower the community and make the city vibrant with activities centred around culture and heritage.

She is determined to realise the vision of making Kuala Lumpur a world-class city, which includes focusing on aspects such as the living environment, work, business, and governance.

She also wants to realise the vision of a 'City for All' as outlined in the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2040 which was gazetted on 19 October 2023. 

This plan continues the vision set by the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020 (PSKL2020), which has guided the city's active and inclusive by taking into account community aspirations, focusing on technological change, urban resilience strategies against climate change and identifying the best methods to improve the quality of life of the city folks,” she said.

Among her commitments is to continue and enhance efforts and plans for developing Kuala Lumpur. One key focus is ensuring that the city is resilient to climate change, with particular emphasis on cleanliness and beautification.

“My vision and mission for planning and development is to make Kuala Lumpur more transformative, effective and inclusive by taking into account community aspirations, focusing on technological change, urban resilience strategies against climate change and identifying the best methods to improve the quality of life of citizens Kuala Lumpur," she said.

Touching on her appointment as the first woman appointed as Kuala Lumpur Mayor, replacing Datuk Kamarulzaman Mat Salleh, who went on compulsory retirement, she regarded it as an honour and a recognition of the woman’s capability and ability.

A town planner by training with a degree from the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology United Kingdom, Maimunah began her career at the Municipal Council of Penang Island in 1985.

In 2003, she was promoted to Director of Planning and Development, where she played a key role in overseeing development control for Penang city projects and landscape development.

She also led a team in planning and implementing urban renewal projects in George Town.

In November 2009, Maimunah made her mark by becoming the first General Manager to establish George Town World Heritage Incorporated, managing the George Town World Heritage Site, which was inscribed by Unesco in July 2008.

She then became the first woman to be president of the Seberang Perai Municipal Council in 2011.

-- BERNAMA