With the rapid development in Batu Gajah, the town is on track to become a municipality, said State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Sandrea Ng Shy Ching.
She said the Batu Gajah District Council (MDBG) administrative area includes five sub-districts, namely Sungai Terap, Belanja, Tanjung Tualang, and parts of Sungai Raia and Hulu Kinta and though the population has reached 135,000, it falls short of the 150,000 requirement for municipal status.
“However, other criteria for municipal status have been fulfilled, and Batu Gajah is advancing. Achieving the target population is feasible, with several new housing projects slated for development in the next five years,” she told a media briefing here after officiating the Illegal Dumpsite Cleanup Programme and Plastic-Free Day Campaign.
To elevate to municipal status, specific criteria must be satisfied which include a population exceeding 150,000, financial stability with a minimum tax revenue of RM20 million, sufficient services, and a commitment to sustainable development.
Additional requirements include providing infrastructure for industrial, business, and tourism activities, as well as facilitating significant housing developments that contribute to increased taxable assets and job opportunities in diverse sectors.
Sandrea added that the state government will identify and strategically plan for local authorities in Perak to upgrade their status within the next three to five years.
‘Some, like MDBG, may lack sufficient population, while others may fail to meet the criteria in terms of tax collection and other aspects.
“Upgrading to municipality status brings the advantage of enhancing prosperity and the overall well-being of the community through the delivery of high-quality services to the public,’ she added.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency