I WOULD first like to commend the interesting and hard-hitting piece written by Ronald Benjamin. I do not deny the writer’s observations on our city Ipoh, but the untold truths and contradictions grappled behind the scenes deserve to be made-known. Nonetheless, every word written and every critique aired are valid, and on behalf of my colleagues at the Ipoh City Council (MBI), I thank you, truly.

For a start, there are ragingly high expectations towards us – the political frontliners – and, the hype that accompanied the democratic removal of the old corrupted regime was overwhelming. This was especially true in constituencies that have long been non-BN party strongholds, like my zone Pasir Pinji and Pasir Putih. Finally after all the years of our complaints falling on deaf ears, many presumed that decades old problems would and could be instantly overcome. 

Then came July 2018, when the new slate of city councillors from Pakatan Harapan (PH) were sworn in. Though we were wholeheartedly committed to serving the community as best as we could, we discovered there were complexities and complications that were totally out of our control. Furthermore, there are forces at play strategically undermining many of our efforts. Some call it “the deep state”, others think it is human nature to resist change. 

Most, if not all of us city councillors are in such a position for the first time; we had to start from scratch. Learning about, and on many instances finding out the hard way, what jurisdiction and what functions are held by which department. This familiarisation was the most frustrating to start with.

Navigating around the personalities and realities that were often very different from what is written in circulars and documents was another soul-destroying daily struggle. We had no tutor but each of us persevered because this was what we fought for, a new government, a new hope for change. Putting a new government in place is but the first step in bringing new governance. 

Sadly, what we inherited from the previous regime wasn’t something we can overcome or make things straight overnight. The red tape, procedures, the structural problems, little napoleons and master saboteurs in each department that are resisting cooperation makes it even tougher. I have personally been in a room when mid-level officers  insubordinately and rudely definitely challenge an executive councillor (exco) on a simple matter, whatmore towards us councillors. 

So what we do, we put the blame on them? We just let things carry on as it was before? We just tell the residents, “I’m sorry madam, I can’t do anything because the city council does not want to cooperate”? No. In fact, exactly the opposite, we tried to make friends with our new colleagues in the council. We talk things out with them, ask them for their input as they are the ones who are more experienced in dealing with the issues. Sorting out the problems are the top priorities, putting aside our ego.

The presumption that we can just “remove”, “transfer”, or “cold storage” uncooperative officers is mere rhetoric that is both impossible and unethical. What needs to be changed, unfortunately, requires a painstaking process of negotiating, convincing, inspiring and instilling cultural change. 

And now we come to Mr Ronald’s complaint that there’s “New government, same rubbish in Perak”. Let’s look at the problems mentioned. First would be the roads with potholes and also patched-up roads, making the surface uneven and bumpy. I presume what he was saying had a lot to do with the ongoing project of Papan sewerage systems that we inherited. So yes, please bear with us until the whole project is done and the roads that are affected will be resurfaced to its proper state.

Secondly, trees not trimmed and clogged up drains. Indeed, we have had performance issues with contractors and concessionaires. When we took over, we also inherited concessionaires whom we were tied to. Of course, those that needed removal are now gone. 

The widely known Datuk Bandar (mayor) “missing in action” saga did indeed grind council business to a horrible halt. New public cleansing contractors couldn’t be appointed because of procedural restrictions, the new mayor’s installation was also delayed due to procedural restrictions. The city councillors even went as far as risking removal by pressuring for a council session with the menteri besar. An exco stood for almost two hours being grilled by a full council bar demanding answers about the new mayor’s appointment. In the end, matters were solved in spite of the delay.

Back to the nitty gritty. Can we be frank with ourselves about what we usually see in the clogged drains, when we see one? Leaves or rubbish? No matter how hard the council cleans the drain, the “diligence” and “consistency” of litterbugs will just put it in vain. Nevertheless, we will continue to do the needful and seek to innovate through technology and structural reforms under the leadership of our new mayor to overcome the said problems. 

How about dogs in market? The council have again and again worked with many civil societies such as M&M and Paws to deal with strays. Catch, neuter and release back in Papan. But like he said, it’s the civic consciousness, or rather the lack of it, that the traders there are feeding the strays is what keeps them coming back. Enforcement upon ignorance will just end up a waste of effort.

I can’t speak for the whole Ipoh but as the councillor in charge of Pasir Pinji constituency area, I will share what has the council have done thus far. Taman Happy, topographically one of the lowest points in the whole Ipoh area, have been consistently hit with flash floods for past 20 years. The council, under the stewardship and cooperation of the state government, has solved that by upgrading the whole drainage system in that area and continuing to the next affected area at Lebuh Mandarin. The same can also be said for Taman Pinji Seni.

Extensive road resurfacing around Pasir Pinji area, road lighting changed to LED for brighter and safer line of sight at night. Gotong-royong carried out in large scale which consist more than 100 MBI staff involved. The clearing of illegal dumpsites over and over again. Are these the least important ones?

The key message here is, we have tried our best, but it is clearly not good enough considering the hurdles and tribulations. But the past 14 months’ struggle has brought us now finally to a point where we have found our stride, and we can clearly see the next milestone. Yes, we have failed thus far in meeting expectations, but we never gave up, and we will fight on. 

The mandate given to me by my party and the citizens of Ipoh is something I do not take lightly. I have gone as far as selling off my business so that I can focus on serving. Because I believe in the sacred calling of being one of the first batch of councillors appointed after the founding of Malaysia Baru.

No doubt there is always room for improvement, especially now that we have a new mayor in town that is experienced and visionary. Let’s work together to keep the city clean and safe as everyone plays a part in the community and not just the council. Let’s make Ipoh “Bersih, Hijau Dan Maju”. Lastly for Mr Ronald, if you’re reading this, I definitely wouldn’t mind sitting down with you over coffee and let’s have a dialogue on how we can improve together. – September 7, 2019.

* Aldrin Ng is a councillor at the Ipoh City Council.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.