SIX Kuala Lumpur MPs have been appointed to hold various portfolios to assist in the development of the city, Federal Territories Minister Khalid Samad said today.

“There are six MPs who are not involved in City Hall and the portfolios given to them will help in governing the city,” he said, adding that City Hall and the ministry had set up a special committee to get the MPs involved.

“We are now giving them the chance to gain experience in managing KL,” he said at the Federal Territories Ministry today.

The education portfolio will be managed by Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

Tourism and culture will be handled by Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun.

Batu MP P. Prabakaran takes charge of youth and sports while Wangsa Maju MP Tan Yee Kew will manage health and women’s affairs.

Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng takes on traffic and infrastructure, while social and economic development will come under Lembah Pantai MP Ahmad Fahmi Fadzil.

Each of the MPs received a letter of appointment on May 27.

Although Fong is involved in the tourism and culture portfolio, Khalid said he will chair that committee while his deputy minister Shahrudin Mohd Salleh will be in charge of the social and economic development portfolio.

“I’m handling the tourism portfolio because we want to promote KL. The social and economic development portfolio is also crucial for the residents.

“The other four portfolios will be managed by mayor Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan.

“They are expected to have their first meeting soon.”

When asked if the appointed MPs will be paid for their work in the ministry, Khalid said no.

“It’s not like they are excos who get additional allowance.

“But, in future we may discuss giving them a sitting allowance.”

The rationale behind the appointments are to utilise the MPs in helping City Hall enhance Kuala Lumpur, the minister added.

“In Kuala Lumpur, we don’t have state assemblymen to help out, only MPs.

“This move will also give the MPs the experience of working with government officers. It will also give them a chance to question the various ministries in line with their portfolios.”

He said five other MPs in the federal territory are not involved because they are holding government positions as ministers, deputy ministers and special ambassadors. – May 30, 2019.