Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh and Salam Sejahtera.

First of all, let us express our gratitude to Allah SWT because with His permission and abundant grace we can gather this morning in the Mayor's Mandate Ceremony in conjunction with the New Year 2024.

It is still not too late for me to wish Happy New Year to all the employees of the Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP) and Happy Thaipusam to the Indian employees. It is hoped that this year 2024 will be a more outstanding year than the previous years.

MBIP STAFF APPOINTMENT

Throughout the year 2023, MBIP has recorded a total of 186 new staff appointments making the total number of MBIP staff 949, consisting of 546 permanent staffs and 403 contract staffs.

The MBIP administration is actively implementing efforts at the moment to fill positions and it is expected that at least 82 vacancies will be filled throughout this year.

YEAR	POSITION LEVEL	TOTAL
2023	CONTRACT	403 STAFFS
	PERMANENT	546 STAFFS
	TOTAL	949 STAFFS

TAX REVENUE IN 2023

For the year 2023, Tax Revenue reached 90%, Non-Tax Revenue reached 111% and Non-Revenue Receipts reached 134%. MBIP's Total Revenue reached 98% of what was estimated, which increased by 12% compared to 2022. Well done and congratulations. Without the cooperation of all employees, surely this figure could not be achieved.

YEAR	PERFORMANCE	PERCENTAGE
2023	TAX REVENUE	90%
	NON-TAX REVENUE	111%
	NON-REVENUE RECEIPTS	134%
MBIP's GRAND TOTAL OF REVENUE FOR 2023		98% (+12% COMPARED TO YEAR 2022)

2023 ACTIVITIES

I would like to thank the Council Members and all MBIP employees for their involvement in executing or organizing programs. However, I see the involvement of employees in the programs we run is quite low and needs to be improved.

Therefore, I hope that this year, all employees can give full commitment to get involved and promote our programs to the community.

JOHOR BERSIH CAMPAIGN

In conjunction with the Johor Bersih campaign, a total of 79 Plogging and 'Jalan Angkat' involving all Council Members' Zones were successfully organized with the community. A total of 56,882kg equivalent to 57 tons of garbage was successfully collected. I believe that with continuous commitment from all parties, in God's will, we can succeed the Johor Bersih agenda, in line with the aspirations of YAB Menteri Besar of Johor.

YEAR	TOTAL ACTIVITIES	GARBAGE COLLECTED
2023	79	56,882 kg = 57 Tonne

ZONE	AREA	FREQUENCY
Zone 20	Tun Aminah	17 activities
Zone 24	Perling	9 activities
Zone 8	Gelang Patah	8 activities
Zone 1	Pulai Indah	5 activities
Zone 4	Sri Pulai	5 activities
Zone 15	Impian Emas	5 activities
Zone 14	Bukit Horizon	4 activities
Zone 6	Mutiara Rini	3 activities
Zone 22	Bukit Indah	3 activities
Zone 23	Sutera Utama	3 activities
Zone 2	Kangkar Pulai	2 activities
Zone 13	Kota Iskandar	2 activities
Zone 16	Sri Skudai	2 activities
Zone 3	Pulai Utama	1 activity
Zone 5	Taman Universiti	1 activity
Zone 7	Lima Kedai	1 activity
Zone 8	Nusa Bayu	1 activity
Zone 11	Tanjung Kupang	1 activity
Zone 17	Skudai	1 activity
Zone 19	Selesa Jaya	1 activity
Zone 21	Nusa Bestari	1 activity

PUBLIC COMPLAINTS STATISTICS

Referring to the statistics of complaints received through the Public Complaint Management System (SISPAA) e-Complaint MBIP from 1 January 2023 until 31 December 2023, a total of 13,458 complaints were received compared to 12,083 complaints in 2022. Of these, a total of 12,113 cases have been resolved, which is 90% of the total number of complaints, while the other 1,345 complaints still in resolution action.

YEAR	TOTAL COMPLAINT	RESOLVED	UNRESOLVED
2023	13,458	12,113 CASES (90%)	1,345 CASES

Not only limited to the SISPAA System, MBIP also has various other complaint channels such as the Whatsapp application and the Resident Committee through their respective Council Members.

The Public Complaints Bureau (BPA) has also developed the “Respons Rakyat” application, which is an online digital complaint channel that can be accessed by all sections of society.

This new channel makes it easier for the public to make complaints, give suggestions, ask questions and channel their appreciation to ministries and public sector agencies more quickly and transparently. This “Respons Rakyat” application can be downloaded through the play store and apps store on smartphone devices.

Nevertheless, I also call for all departments to patrol continuously to identify occurring damages such as malfunctioning lights, potholes, dangerous trees, long grass and clogged drains.

Through MBIP's “Skuad Hero” and Southern Volunteer Iskandar Puteri, MBIP is always ready to help the community, especially when it involves disasters such as floods, fallen trees, fires and others, as the saying goes ‘shoulders carry, heart supports’.

Also recently, our SV team has provided assistance in the Kota Tinggi District Post-Flood Mission for 5 days from 12 to 16 January 2024. Thank you for all the services and devotion you have given not only to this organization but also to the community in need.

2024 BUDGET

As everyone is aware, on 23 November 2023, the presentation of the Johor Budget 2024 with the theme “Driving Development, Prospering the People” was presented by Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, Menteri Besar of Johor.

Execution of the Johor State Smart City Action Plan 2030. RM 15 million to build Control and Command Centers at Menara MBJB and MBIP;

Establishment of Emergency and Disaster Relief Unit. The State Government welcomes the establishment of the ‘Skuad Kilat’, ‘Skuad Hero’, and First Arrival Support Team (FAST) by MBJB and MBIP which act as the earliest units to provide assistance during disasters or any emergency situation. A total of RM 4.15 million is allocated.

Implementation of the Action Plan on the Proposed Special Area Plan (RKK) of Sungai Skudai. This RKK involves three Local Authorities namely MBJB, MBIP and MPKu. The preservation and conservation of the Sungai Skudai area will be implemented involving an allocation of RM 8.3 million.

Development and Upgrading of Sports Infrastructure. RM 3 million to develop 5 futsal courts with FIFA specifications in Iskandar Puteri and RM 4.5 million to Upgrade Dataran and Padang Dataran Iskandar Puteri.

Semarak Subuh Program. RM 560 thousand has been allocated to make the 2,688 Semarak Subuh Programs successful in 56 state assembly areas throughout 2024.

This program takes place every Friday morning starting January 5, 2023. On this opportunity, I would like to invite all the Council Members and Muslim employees to participate in this Semarak Subuh Program. In the MBIP area, this program takes place in Mosques and Suraus around DUN around Kota Iskandar and Skudai. I very much welcome this program and welcome all Department Directors and representatives to attend every week. InsyaAllah, MBIP will also donate to selected Mosques and Suraus. The location of the program will be updated on MBIP's social media channels every week.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND AWARDS 2023

Prestasi kerja mengikut piagam,

Biar lebih jangan berkurang,

Rajin berusaha siang dan malam,

Tangga kejayan pasti datang.

Alhamdulillah, I admit that MBIP indeed has excellent and highly innovative employees. This is proven by the various achievements and successes that have been achieved throughout the year 2023 including:

At the International level, MBIP has received the Regional Center of Expertise (RCE) 2023 Awards for the Outstanding Flagship Project category through the Iskandar Puteri Low Carbon Initiative by RCE Network, United Nations University Tokyo, Japan.

At the national level, MBIP has received:

5th Best PBT in Malaysia in conjunction with the 2022 Local Authority Rating System (SPB-PBT) Evaluation;

Bronze Award Low Carbon Planning (City Category) at MIP Planning Excellence Awards 2022;

Silver Award in Anugerah Integriti, Governans dan Anti-rasuah (AIGA) 2022;

5 Bintang Rosa-Sinensis for Kategori Penarafan Taman Awam, in conjunction of Hari Landskap Negara 2023;

Gold Award in conjunction with Festival Taman Kuala Lumpur (KLPF) 2023;

WORK TO BEAR TRUST

As civil servants who bear the community’s trust, we should always remind ourselves of our responsibility and trust because carrying out our daily duties affects the quality of the services we provide to the community.

An Arab saying states, 'expecting success without effort is like expecting a ship to sail on land.'

In any government administration system, the role of civil servants is very important. Regardless of position, we are the implementers who move the entire government operating system to fulfill the government's obligation to the people.

I admit that sometimes we feel tired and stressed but please remember that in our situation that we feel to be so bad, there are people whose situation is worse and really hope for our help. The task of being a civil servant is a responsibility that needs to be managed with all your heart, humility and sacrifice.

I'm sure everyone is aware of the Circular Letter from the Director General of Public Services dated 15 January 2024 – Recruitment of New Officers by Contract Appointment (Contract of Service) in the Public Service. Surely this decision raises various assumptions and questions to everyone, especially employees who are still on contract. Nevertheless, let us all pray and hope that the best solution can be studied and implemented in order to benefit all civil servants, God’s willing.

YAB Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Haji Azmi bin Rohani, Secretary of the Johor Government has stated “If all the work looks normal, it means we are not working at a high speed and driving productivity”. But don't forget thoroughness, accuracy and precision so that we can avoid mistakes.

Strengthen your soul, work with integrity and earnestly in sowing kindness and service for this organization that we love. Hopefully in 2024 the Iskandar Puteri City Council will remain excellent and have continuous success.

I believe in teamwork. All of us have a role to not only lead this organization forward but also the responsibility to bring this country to prosperity and glory.

Teamwork make the dream work! Now, let’s work.

I end my speech with a verse:

Anugerah tinggi sumber inspirasi,

Pelbagai acara menjadi juara,

Warga MBIP cekap berdedikasi,

Iskandar Puteri Pintar, Mampan dan Sejahtera.

Happy new year and best wishes to everyone.

Wabillahitaufik walhidayah wassalamu'alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.