Sources: KL Mayor has been asked to resign

KUALA LUMPUR (August 28): Kuala Lumpur mayor Tan Sri Mohd Amin Nordin Abd Aziz has reportedly been asked to resign from his post, the tenure of which is supposed to end July 18 next year.

The Star reports that Amin Nordin has been asked to resign, and the government will announce a new Datuk Bandar for Kuala Lumpur by the end of the year. The new federal government’s goal is a candidate open to local government elections, for a more democratic governance.

“Khalid Samad (Federal Territories Minister) wants someone who can work with him towards achieving that goal.

“Zuraida Kamaruddin (Housing and Local Government Minister) has given a three-year deadline for local government elections to be implemented and they are looking for someone who is open towards that,’’ The Star quoted a source.

The source said Amin Nordin will likely be asked to tender his resignation by end of August or September.

Amin Nordin declined to confirm or deny the matter, but said: “You will be the first to know about it when it happens.

“I have had a good relationship with YB Khalid, and it is easy working with him. It is all good,’’ he said.

His two-year contract was due to expire on July 18, 2017, but he was given another two-year extension.

The city’s new mayor is expected to assume office by October.

The Star cites DBKL sources, who say the Federal Territories Ministry has a shortlist of five candidates to be submitted to Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Former Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) president Datuk Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan is amongst the names, and is seen as a no-nonsense, proactive council president. 

The daily writes that he was often to be heard saying “We need to walk the talk” to his staff in MPSJ.

His areas of interests include eradicating illegal dumpsites and improving the lives of the poor.

He has also been vocal about his support for local government elections,maintaining that appointment or election by merit is vital. 

Also on the list is Federal Territories Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Adnan Mohd Ikhsan, another former MPSJ president who served from 2006 to 2011.

He currently spearheads the Federal Territory Banteras Aktiviti Haram (Ops BAH) operation, a multi-agency effort to put a stop to illegal activities.