KEPALA BATAS: The public will be allowed to give their feedback on a pilot corporate social responsibility (CSR) landscaping programme initiated by the Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP).

Council president Maimunah Mohd Sharif said while government agencies and corporate companies were invited to sponsor and maintain the programme, public views on its design and suitability would be sought before it is carried out.

“Our CSR landscaping programme, which has more than 20 projects under it, is similar to the one currently practised by the Penang Municipal Council.

“But, we wanted to include the people’s feedback in this public sector-private sector initiative to ensure that the programme is accepted by the people,” she said after chairing a full council meeting at Dewan Milenium here yesterday.

Maimunah said the council had identified 25 strategic locations on the mainland for the projects to help make Seberang Prai more vibrant and beautiful.

She said the public could convey their feedback on the projects’ proposals via municipal councillors or by sending emails to the council’s website at http://www.mpsp.gov.my/.

“The council might also hold exhibitions on the project designs in the different Seberang Prai districts for the public to view them and give their feedback.

“When I was the general manager for George Town World Heritage Incorporated, I sought feedback from several Carnavon Street residents before we conducted the beautification work,” she said.

At present, Maimunah said, private developer MMC-Gamuda JV Sdn Bhd under its CSR initiative, had proposed that a monumental park called Taman Tugu Kota Demokrasi Bagan be constructed in Jalan Permatang Pauh, near Taman Bagan, Butterworth.

She added that Bertam Properties Sdn Bhd had also agreed to fulfil its town planning requirement, by spending nearly RM1mil to create a Vision Park within its development project in Bertam, Kepala Batas.

“All applications to sponsor and maintain the CSR landscaping programme, will be vetted through a special committee in the council and not via department heads,” she said.

Earlier, Maimunah and the councillors observed a moment of silence as a mark of respect to former MPSP president Datuk Md Aris Ariffin who passed away on Wednesday.

He had served as council president from April 2004 to March 2007.

SOURCE: The Star