Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abdul Samad has confirmed receiving the resignation letter from Kuala Lumpur mayor Tan Sri Mohd Amin Nordin Abd Aziz on Sept 1.
This comes follows reports that claimed Amin Nordin was going to be replaced or was about to resign.
Khalid said he had yet to reply to the letter, which came with a 30-day notice, as he felt that the matter should be given due consideration and whether a suitable replacement had been identified.
“I am made to understand that the resignation letter was made because he (Amin Nordin) feels that he had been serving in the DBKL (KL City Council) for too long after 40 years. Now he is thinking of spending time with the family.
“He wants to resign because he has been here for too long…and we respect his wishes and also value his contribution. Now we (the ministry) must play a role in looking for a suitable successor,” he said at a media conference at Menara Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) on Monday.
He said the matter would be brought up to the Cabinet meeting next week.
Khalid added that the selection for the new mayor would not go through the Local Authorities (PBT) election process.
“For the time being, the new mayor will be appointed through discussion between myself and the Prime Minister as well as the Cabinet, and the swearing-in before the Yang di-Pertuan Agong if it (the new appointment) goes through,” he said.
Khalid said as the nation was on the cusp of Vision 2020, and with plans to formulate a new KL Masterplan, the right candidate has to be picked to lead the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
“Kuala Lumpur is a major city and the capital, so it needs a mayor that can play their role, to be part of a good leadership for the city, and someone who can carry out their duties.
“We want to hand over the job to someone who will be able to do their job professionally without the Federal Territories Minister instructing him on every step of the way,” he added.
Khalid also promised there would be minimal inclusion and meddling by politicians concerning the administration and management of DBKL.
“I promise to minimise the inclusion of politicians and politics in the operations of DBKL; we’ll hand over to the relevant people.
“We won’t cross that line,” he added.
Amin Nordin was appointed the 11th KL mayor in July 2015 and had his initial two-year contract that was supposed to end in 2017 extended by another two years.
He has 38 years experience in local government administration and urban management, especially in DBKL.
He began his service as deputy director in the DBKL Landscape Department in 1978 at the age of 22.