Negeri Sembilan passes Seremban City Council Bill

SEREMBAN, Dec 3 -- The Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly (DUN) today passed the Seremban City Council (MBS) Bill 2020 to change the status and name of the Seremban and Nilai municipal councils which had been merged into one local authority.

The motion was tabled by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun and passed by Speaker Datuk Zulkefly Mohamad Omar after it received unanimous support from the state assemblymen.

Earlier, Aminuddin, when tabling the bill, said the city status was given after MBS had fulfilled the criteria stipulated by the Housing and Local Government Ministry and the merger of the two municipal councils was in line with Section 4(2) of the Local Government Act 1976.

“The merger can also streamline the Seremban administration when only one local authority administers it besides ensuring that MBS has higher revenue and income to ensure the well-being of its people.

“It is also to strengthen comprehensive services to the community and provide greater access to facilities in each area in Seremban. The merger of the two areas can provide optimal comfort and convenience to MBS residents,” he said.

He said in creating a sustainable, clean and viable smart city, MBS was committed to providing efficient, quality and transparent services to ensure the well-being of its residents.

Aminuddin said the bill comprises five clauses, including to set the enactment name as the Seremban City Council Enactment 2020 effective Jan 1.

It also contains provisions on matters and decisions made in preparation towards the enactment implementation which should be considered valid and made by MBS.

Meanwhile, Senaling assemblyman Datuk Adnan Abu Hassan, when debating the bill, said the establishment of MBS was timely and could increase the allocation from the federal government as it is now a city.

“It is clear that an increase in allocation is very good for MBS...of course when there is an increase, the standard of living of the people, especially those living in MBS, will increase," he said.

On Jan 20, Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir proclaimed Seremban as a city and opened the MBS Complex.

The sitting was adjourned sine die.

-- BERNAMA