For the 2012 budget, which was just passed in MPSJ last month, we have made some progress & improvements.
  1. Cutting of administration overheads and transferring the amount to road maintenance and road works to the tune of RM3mil
  2. Adding RM300,000 allocation towards our Crematorium, to add a second burner
This doesn't include savings from the termination of Alam Flora contract. Once we have finalized the new contract, then the savings would be allocated towards other services.


MPSJ allocates RM7mil for road maintenance

By THO XIN YI
thoxinyi@thestar.com.my


THE Subang Jaya Municipal Council has allocated RM7mil for road maintenance under its 2012 budget.

The amount included an extra RM3mil added to the original RM4mil allocation.

Councillor Rajiv Rishyakaran said he suggested cutting overhead expenses, such as interior decoration, office furniture, local and overseas travel allowance, before the budget meeting.

He had wanted to channel the excess, if approved, to improve the infrastructure, such as more lights at parks, building bus stops and planting more trees.

Councillor K. Arumugam was delighted that RM300,000 was approved for a second incinerator for the crematorium in Puchong and provisions for its management.

“The crematorium will be run by the council,” he said.

Arumugam has been urging the council not to privatise the crematorium to keep the service affordable.

Councillor Tan Jo Hann said the council should be careful not to allocate more than necessary by referring to last year’s budget.

Citing photographic material as example, Tan said the amount allocated in 2009 was RM80,000 and then RM130,000 last year.

“When we checked, the council spent about RM70,000 for this category in 2009. The amount should be maintained or even reduced for 2010, but it was almost doubled instead.

“About RM15,000 was spent till October this year and are we going to spend the rest in three months?” he asked.

Rajiv also proposed to the MPSJ to offer ambulance service.

“Subang Jaya is a township without government hospitals, and the residents have to rely on ambulance service from Universiti Malaya Medical Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Serdang Hospital in Kajang and Klang General Hospital.

“Asmawi did not reject the suggestion during the budget meeting but he said there was no need to make a special provision in the budget for this. The council could make do with the existing provision.