‘PBT enforcement officers should be more patient, less emotional’

KUALA LUMPUR: Enforcement officers of local authorities ( PBTs) nationwide have been advised to be more patient and less emotional when conducting any monitoring and operation especially involving inspection of business licences and permits.

Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said all PBTs enforcement officers should be more responsible and prudent in discharging their duties to avoid any conflict and misunderstanding.

The minister was commenting on a 46-second video clip showing a fight involving traders and a group of enforcement officers from the Klang Municipal Council ( MPK) in Jalan Taiping, Klang which has gone viral on social media.

“I have contacted MPK president Datuk Mohamad Yasid Bidin and he has informed me that there was a misunderstanding between the traders and enforcement officers involved in the incident.

“As such, I would like to advise all enforcement officers regardless of ministries to be more patient and not to be driven by emotions (when discharging duties),” she told reporters after officiating a fire safety campaign in conjunction with the Hari Raya celebration here yesterday.

Meanwhile, when asked on the PBT elections which may be implemented within at least three years’ time, Zuraida said the period was not too long taking into account many crucial factors that needed to be considered.

According to her, the government needed to study all the working papers and anything related to the existing laws before the elections could be implemented.

“We have to discuss the matter at the Cabinet level and the state governments must also agree to hold the elections. We can propose to them but in the end it is up to them to proceed or to reject,” she said.

Zuraida was recently reported as saying the Pakatan Harapan government had to prioritise other important matters such as to ensure that the country’s financial position was stable before implementing the PBT elections. — Bernama