MBI STRATEGIC PLAN WORKSHOP STRENGTHENS IPOH’S DIRECTION AS A SMART, LOW-CARBON AND PROSPEROUS CITY BY 2030

6 FEBRUARY 2026 – Ipoh City Council (MBI) continues to strengthen the direction of the city’s development through the implementation of the Ipoh City Council Strategic Plan Workshop, in line with the vision of making Ipoh a Smart Regional City based on a Sustainable and Prosperous Ecosystem by 2030.

In his opening speech at the workshop, the MBI leadership emphasised that the MBI Strategic Plan 2021–2030 is not merely a planning document, but rather a city development compass that is comprehensive, sustainable and centred on the well-being of the people.

The plan is supported by several key benchmarks, including:

1. Ipoh as the Cleanest City in Malaysia (2023); 
2. Ipoh as the Nation’s Leading Tourism City (2025); 
3. Provision of the best digital and physical infrastructure (2027); 
4. Ipoh as a Smart City and Low-Carbon City (2030); 
5. Ipoh as a Prosperous Smart City and High-Income City (2030). 

MBI also upholds the Perak State Government’s aspirations in ensuring that every strategic plan implementation is translated into actions that are truly felt by city residents.

Quoting the words of Perak Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Saarani Mohamad:

“People judge success by what they FEEL, not by what they READ.”

In this regard, MBI stressed that success should not be measured through reports alone, but by the daily experiences of the people with council services.

In ensuring that all city priorities can be implemented effectively, MBI will focus on strengthening the Council’s revenue and financial capacity through three main approaches:

1. Streamlining existing revenue via improved governance, compliance and process efficiency, particularly involving licensing revenue and development charges; 
2. Increasing the collection of assessment tax arrears via detection, data cleansing, phased collection plans, payment facilities and prudent enforcement; 
3. Exploring new, more sustainable revenues via innovation, digitalisation and strategic collaborations to ensure sufficient fiscal space for improving city services. 

MBI also extended its appreciation to all departments that successfully obtained external resource allocations in 2025 from various agencies, such as KPKT, MOTAC, UPEN, Ministry of Economy, MIDA and others.

This achievement proves that MBI as a local authority is proactive, competitive and capable of bringing real benefits to the city and its people.

MBI stressed that all Council officers must understand that the role at MBI is the trust of the people, and service priorities must be based on the values of speed, transparency, friendliness and integrity.

Every programme implemented must have an impact on the city residents, not focused solely on internal interests.

Although Ipoh continues to move towards a smart and sustainable city, MBI emphasised that the people’s evaluation is still focused on the basic aspects closest to daily life.

The six main things that serve as a “mirror” for the city residents are:

WASTE, ROADS, DRAINS, GRASS, LIGHTS and TREES.

MBI will ensure: 

1. Waste management is more efficient and cleaner, strengthened with recycling programmes; 
2. Roads are maintained proactively and safely; 
3. Drains and drainage systems function well to prevent flash floods; 
4. Grass is cut according to standards and does not pose safety risks; 
5. Street lights function well and repair responses are faster; 
6. Tree and landscape management is more strategic for the safety and beauty of the city. 

MBI is confident that this workshop will be an important space to coordinate priorities, streamline approaches and establish shared commitments so that MBI excels not only on paper, but excels in the daily experiences felt by the people.

The workshop was officiated with the phrase “Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim”, as a symbol of the beginning of MBI’s new commitment in empowering city management.