The well-being of the population will be the top priority of the new mayor of Petaling Jaya, Mohamad Azhan Md Amir.

He hopes to focus on building good relationships with city stakeholders and reviving the economy in a post-Covid-19 landscape.

“My goal, like any other local council, is the well-being of the people.

“This will be done with the councilors and the local communities,” he said.

He said he would meet with taxpayers to understand their concerns and respond to their requests if city council was able.

“If we can’t do it, we’ll have to explain it to them,” he said.

Mohamad Azhan, who is the sixth mayor of Petaling Jaya, was speaking after chairing his first board meeting yesterday at the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) headquarters in Jalan Yong Shook Lin.

During the meeting, MBPJ adviser Suriase Gengiah asked about the post of director of the MBPJ health department which had been vacant for four years.

Suriase, who raised the issue even at last month’s board meeting, asked for clarification.

Mohamad Azhan said he was informed that the MBPJ published an announcement on October 25 calling for candidates to apply for the post.

“Interested candidates can apply over a two week period.

“We will shortlist names and invite potential candidates for interviews.

“We hope that the new director can start working by December,” he said. Mohamad Azhan said preference would be given to a candidate with medical training and experience in medicine or environmental health.

Interested persons can submit their application via embpj.mbpj.gov.my

Deputy Mayor Sharipah Marhaini Syed Ali said that for the time being, the duties of the director of the health department were performed by an acting 48-level officer.

“The acting officer performed his duties well and oversaw operations related to Covid-19.

“But we are looking for someone at level 52 for the manager position.

“As a full-service agency, we have a nominating committee to hire agents for certain positions. This committee includes the mayor, the secretary of the council and a councilor, ”she said.

Mohamad Azhan was sworn in as the new mayor ahead of the plenary council meeting yesterday. His appointment is effective October 21.

He previously served as Deputy Director General of the Post-Disaster Management Division of the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma). Nadma is an agency under the Office of the Prime Minister.

Mohamad Azhan holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Development from Universiti Malaya and 24 years of public service experience at state and ministry level.

He succeeds Datuk Mohd Sayuthi Bakar, who left in May to take up the post of Deputy Director General (Operations) of the Immigration Department.