Shah Alam gets new mayor

TO be effective, councillors need to understand the views of the people they represent to facilitate communication between the community and local council, says Cheremi Tarman, Shah Alam’s 11th mayor.

In a simple ceremony held at the Shah Alam City Council’s (MBSA) headquarters, Cheremi, 59, took his oath of office.

He was previously the acting mayor of the city.

Cheremi is a civil engineer by profession. His previous roles include Petaling Jaya City Council Engineering Department director and Selayang Municipal Council deputy president.

Upon taking office, Cheremi presided over the swearing-in ceremony of 22 councillors for the 2024-2025 term.

Of the councillors, eight are from PKR, seven from DAP and six from Amanah. One is a Selangor Palace representative.

Cheremi said two vacant councillor positions would be decided later by the state government.

Eight of the 22 councillors are new. They are PKR members Hasheena Begum Osanarau and Muhamad Nizam Kamjan along with DAP representatives Nathindran Raj Baskaran, Yogeswari Samynathan and Lim Shu Chzen. Amanah’s new faces are Anuar Abd Rahman, Chow Pung Meng and Maizan Abdul Majid.

Reappointed councillors were Selangor Palace representative Datuk Emran Kadir, while Hamdan Harun, Mohd Shazrizat Zulkipli, Murugiah Munusamy, Nur Yusmi Md Yusop, Tengku Ahmad Tengku Kasim and Zulnizam Shahrani are from PKR.

Representing DAP are Muhammad Shakir Ameer Mohideen, Siow Fun Yean, Ramu Nadarajan and Ooi Haw Voon.

Amanah councillors are Mohd Firdaus Mokthar, Muhammad Nabil Norhalim and Siti Nur Aishah Mohd Zain.

Chow, 50, a businessman in F&B, aims to improve the roads riddled with potholes and said he would work with MBSA’s Engineering Department and the residents to speed up work.

Yogeswari, 34, who has a Master’s in Business Human Resource, said she would hold more community engagement sessions to find out what people need.

“I will focus on community development that involves youth and women initiatives,” she said.

Hasheena, 42, who is in business, said she would concentrate on improving waste collection.

“I hope all the councillors will serve the community with a high level of integrity,” said Cheremi.

“Councillors must have a strong sense of commitment to be a bridge between MBSA and the people.

“Being accountable to the people is a must.

“Councillors have a duty to attend all meetings to ensure that the people’s views are relayed to the council,” he said.