By RV Jeyakumar
I’m very disappointed with how Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh (MBI) have handled certain longstanding issues regarding Ipoh Padang.
A pathetic lighting system
The first is the never-ending problem of the field’s malfunctioning floodlights every time there’s heavy rain. They remain spoilt for weeks and get fixed only after multiple complaints are made to MBI. This has been ongoing for the past 4 years without a permanent solution!
Among the possibilities for this recurring problem are:
– MBI lacks sufficient funds to permanently resolve the lighting system’s weaknesses so that it doesn’t easily break down after every heavy downpour.
– MBI contracts such repair work out to highly incompetent private companies instead of doing it themselves. Hence, the work is shoddy.
A project that’s dragging on
The second problem is regarding the repairing and upgrading of the field’s public toilet. The project apparently started in September 2024 and the completion date has already been postponed 4 times. It’s now already more than 6 months and the toilet remains closed!
This has been particularly troublesome for members of the public who exercise at Ipoh Padang and need to use the toilet.
So, why is this project taking so long to complete?? To begin with, this project doesn’t make much sense given that the toilet was built only a few years ago and seemed to be working fairly well before.
Similar to the first problem, is this yet another case of MBI contracting the repair/upgrading work to a highly incompetent private company? Why can’t the local government conduct such essential work themselves?
Can the Local Government Ministry intervene and determine the real reasons why these two issues are dragging on without any effective resolution? Frankly, such issues of drawn-out projects and incompetency in providing service to the people are endemic in Malaysia and must be eradicated.
Stop contracting essential services and work out to private companies!
The contracting out of essential services and work to private companies by the government is very common as well in this country. More often than not, those private companies are highly inefficient and don’t at all provide good service to the people!
This is one of the main reasons many Malaysians are frustrated at the government.
How much longer do we have to deal with this? Isn’t it well past time such essential services be solely conducted by the government instead of being contracted out to private companies? Such a move can help ensure that good quality and competency are restored.
The government needs to seriously look into this issue and implement reforms so that essential services are from now on only conducted by local governments instead of being contracted out.
If a lack of funds is one main reason for issues like this, then the government (both federal and state levels) must prioritize existing funds towards such essential services for the safety and comfort of the people.
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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Ipoh Echo
