Preparations for better delivery at KL City Hall

All must be prepared for a better delivery system in the City Hall Kuala Lumpur (CHKL) including the capacity to deal with disasters.

Comment by Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong during the Enforcement Day of the CHKL.

The Enforcement Directorate of CHKL has over 1,300 personnel with over 100 vehicles of various types. Its motto is Steadfast and Loyal. It is the biggest department in CHKL. Its vision is to support the aspiration of CHKL to make KL a world-class tropical garden city of light through the enforcement of laws. It aims to make KL clean, beautiful and orderly, creating consciousnss among cityfolks so that they are more responsible and have civic consciousness about the quality of life.

The Directorate intends to adhere to Customers' Charter. For example, it says it will take action and solve all complaints within one week.

Going through its wide-ranging activities, we notice that there are rooms for improvement. It would have to do more to acheive the vision and objectives as enshrined in the 2020 Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan with 190 policy statements. It has yet to show that it truly embraces universal values such as politeness, sincerity, honesty and integrity.

During disasters like floods and fires, the Directorate plays an active part. It has to upgrade its force to world standard in order to face all the challenges.

For instance, hurricane Katrina destroyed New Orleans City in United States recently. Preparations were made and warning was given. But, the sheer magnitude of the disaster overwhelmed.

If CHKL completes the local plan for the KL 2020 including making the Directorate world-class, it will be possible for KL to bid for the Olympic Summer Games in 20 years.