DEWAN Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) has made history by having its first female mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif, who officially took the role on Aug 15.
Her appointment was confirmed by the Federal Territories Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa, who was once again the subject of rumours of a new Cabinet reshuffle.
Maimunah, 63, is no stranger to leadership roles. She previously served as the Mayor of Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and as Malaysia’s Special Envoy on Sustainable Urbanisation.
With this appointment, she became the third woman after Dr Zaliha and Datuk Indera Noridah Abdul Rahim, Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Wilayah Persekutuan to handle city affairs.
For some netizens, this is an example of ‘girl power’ in Malaysia and a post on X noted things are moving very fast in KL after the appointment of the new mayor.
Dengar cerita ada kartel rasuah sibuk melobi untuk jatuhkan @DrZalihaMustafa
Silaplah kartel. DrZ dah lama rancang. Korang je lalai.
Netizen pun menjadi saksi performance Menteri Wilayah Persekutuan ni.
Terutamanya usaha gigih @DBKL2u bersihkan KL dari segala jenis “sampah”✅ pic.twitter.com/vXv8nQRzNJ
— Adam Yusuf (@adamyusuf88) August 15, 2024
Rumours are circulating about a corruption cartel actively working to undermine Dr Zaliha, but they seem to have miscalculated.
The post commends the minister’s strong performance since taking office. It also mentioned that the newly appointed mayor has moved swiftly, leading to the arrest of several DBKL officers on corruption charges.
Baru semalam lantik. Hari ini dah ada yang sangkut. Laju buat kerja. 👍👍 pic.twitter.com/uuufa0HKLm
— Adam Yusuf (@adamyusuf88) August 15, 2024
Some are saying this is ‘girl power’ while others are praising ’emak-emak’ for their appointments and jobs done.
Girl power 💪🏽💪🏽
— The Punisher (@EternalDeeds) August 15, 2024
Hidup emak-emak!
— Aidil (@_aidilghazali) August 15, 2024
However, some are saying they only recognise two “wanita besi” in Malaysia: former MITI Minister Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz and activist Siti Kasim.
Saya hanya kenal 2 wanita besi
1. Rafidah Aziz
2. Siti KasimYang lain aku tak tau.
— Lucifer Morningstar (@Lucifer44801477) August 15, 2024
Another asked, perhaps in a sarcastic tone, whether it was “Cartel Girl Power’.
Kartel Girl Power?
— Syafiq Safwan (@Sysafwann) August 15, 2024
In the end, there are users on X who want to know what DBKL is doing with all the taxes they collect in the city, which, according to the users, go exclusively into the municipality’s accounts. – Aug 17, 2024
KL ni takda DUN. Duit cukai semua pi ke DBKL. Apa depa buat bukan ada check and balance. Isu jual tanah, tanah premium semua masalah.
Dah la dalam tu bukan orang KL.— Meor Amir 🇲🇾 (@meore) August 16, 2024
Main photo credit: SuaraRakyat