Breaking News: Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif is stepping down as Kuala Lumpur Mayor earlier than expected, but it's for a very exciting reason! She's been tapped to become a Petronas Property Advisor, spearheading a brand-new landmark project in Kuala Lumpur. This move has sparked a lot of interest, and here's what you need to know.
Her tenure as Mayor was originally slated to end later, but His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, approved a new term from August 15, 2024, to November 14, 2025. This decision, as stated by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, aims to leverage Maimunah's extensive expertise. Her experience in urban planning, especially her background in sustainable development, makes her uniquely qualified for this new role. She previously led UN-Habitat as executive director, gaining valuable international experience.
But here's where it gets interesting: The government is clearly confident in her ability to contribute to national projects. Throughout her time at Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), Maimunah achieved remarkable things. Under her leadership, DBKL saw significant improvements in governance and service delivery.
And this is the part most people miss: DBKL went from a deficit to a surplus! In 2024, they recorded a surplus of RM27.6 million, a huge leap from a RM75.3 million deficit in 2023 and RM283 million in 2022. This financial turnaround reflects the success of her financial improvement measures and strategic spending.
Furthermore, Maimunah put Kuala Lumpur on the international map through various initiatives. She fostered strategic collaborations, including the Cash Plus Programme and Child-Friendly City Initiatives with Unicef. She also played a crucial role in organizing key events like the Asean Sustainable Urbanisation Forum.
Her commitment to a green and sustainable city agenda is also noteworthy. She spearheaded initiatives like the Zero Waste Initiative and the Urban Climate Resilience Programme (UCRP), all aimed at building future-ready cities.
Maimunah's leadership has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Public Relations and Communication Association of Malaysia (PCRA) Leadership Award 2024, the Best Local Authority Leadership Excellence Award (City category) 2025, and the “Women of the Decade” recognition from the Women Economic Forum.
The government believes her experience will be crucial in ensuring the success of the Kuala Lumpur landmark project, aligning with the Madani aspirations for the Federal Territory.
What do you think about this change? Do you believe Maimunah's expertise is the right fit for this new role? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
