By Zaki Salleh
IPOH: Who will be appointed to lead Ipoh City as the next mayor?
The role of the mayor is far from ordinary. It demands a visionary leader with a strong mission to drive the city forward.
Ipoh is no longer a mere “kampung town,” a label often used due to its rural surroundings. The city’s landscape has transformed significantly over the past five years under the leadership of Ipoh Mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin.
Most notably, in 2023, the Ipoh City Council (MBI) received the prestigious Scroll of Honour from UN-Habitat in Mexico, recognising the city’s efforts in implementing the doughnut economy model, which balances human needs with environmental sustainability.
Last year, Ipoh was named a UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) city under the music category.
In 2022, the city also earned the title of the world’s most affordable city for international schooling from the International Schools Database (ISD), a recognition by the United Nations (UN).
Rumaizi, a former Director of the Perak Land and Mines Office, was appointed as Ipoh Mayor on April 1, 2020, becoming the youngest to hold the position at the age of 45. He is a proud son of Ipoh.
To be considered for the role of Ipoh Mayor, a candidate must possess a solid background in public administration, law, economics, and urban planning.
Extensive experience in government administration, urban management, economic development, or related sectors is essential.
The candidate must have a deep understanding of urban policies, development planning, and financial management, as well as the capability to address challenges such as traffic congestion, pollution, housing, and urban safety.
Despite Ipoh’s rapid growth, longstanding issues such as waste management, road quality, and inadequate public amenities remain.
Some municipal management personnel have also been criticised for inefficiency.
For Ipoh residents, these issues are a benchmark for assessing their satisfaction with the quality of urban services.
The new Ipoh Mayor is expected to be announced soon, with several candidates already nominated by the Perak state government to the Public Service Department (JPA) for appointment.
