Mala

Supporting Partners in Realizing Mission: Malaysian Case

PROMOTING best practices has always been integral to achieving the mission of UCLG ASPAC. Linking local governments with one another and with other partners in order to replicate outstanding methods in different urban concerns drives development. We believe this is a way to accelerate development in the region. With this spirit, UCLG ASPAC welcomed the opportunity to support the National Conference of Malaysia’s Local Authorities Best Practices 2016 “Sharing toward 5 Star Services” held by the Malaysian Association of Local Authorities (MALA) and the Alor Setar City Council (MBAS) on May 30, 2016, by becoming one of the notable speakers.

Represented by the Secretary General, Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi delivered a speech on how best practices of local governments lead to a better development. She elaborated on UCLG ASPAC’s strong commitment to cooperation, and shared about replication of best and good practices, such as the cooperation between three local governments in Kartamantul, Indonesia on their shared needs, and the cooperation of local Government organizations on Joint waste management in Chiang Rai City.

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Lastly, she emphasized the role of local government associations like MALA and recommended the development and use of indicators to measure their performance.

Datuk Maimunah Mohd Sharif, MALA’s President and Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP)’s Mayor, to the media revealed that the conference was meant to provide networking opportunities for staff members of local authorities to exchange best practices, and to further inform about the latest happenings on best practices among local authorities, both locally and overseas.

During this time, the Secretary General maximized the chance to discuss with Executive Committee Members of MALA at their first General Assembly since the reactivation of the organisation. This included the ASEAN Mayors Forum in which Chief Secretary of Ministry of Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government (KPKT) urged MALA to plan and organize the event and suggested it be held in September 2016. Bernadia emphasized that the forum, planned to be held in Kuala Lumpur or Selangor, was a good opportunity for MALA to become the leading voice of local authorities in ASEAN. A Local Economic Development Training was another point of discussion. In the meeting, it was agreed that the LED programme should be a continuous programme which would address different issues. It was also agreed that the training would be held in November 2016 at Seberang Perai, in which UCLG ASPAC will collaborate and facilitate MALA to implement LED programmes.

This cooperation will help to promote economic, social, cultural, and environmental development, which will benefit all Malaysian Local Authorities particularly MALA members.