The Klang Municipal Council (MPK) horse unit set up under its enforcement department five years ago looks certain to “close shop”.
This is because the council is struggling to pay the RM600,000 required annually for the maintenance of the eight thoroughbred horses and 18 staff members under the unit.
Ratepayers and councillors are questioning the need to maintain the horse unit particularly since it is not serving the purpose for which it was set up, which among others was to help direct traffic during peak hours.
The horses were also supposed to be used at ceremonial functions such as parades.
The council had already spent close to RM3mil for the unit in the last five years – a huge burden for a town that is seeking royal city status in August this year.
Councillor Datuk Mazlynoor Abdul Latiff said the horse unit should be scrapped immediately as it was taking a toll on the council’s budget.
“On the one hand we are working hard to get more revenue for the council, on the other side assessment income is being wasted. It is not proper for the council to keep the financial aspects of the unit under wraps for the last 56 months. Now, we need a full explanation on this matter from the mounted enforcement squad that is under the Enforcement Department,” he said.
“Those who decided to purchase the animals had placed their focus on the primary expense. No effort was made to inform the council on the true cost of maintaining horses.
“Now it is better to give it up to cut the losses. Most councillors feel that the horses should be sold or auctioned off,” said Mazlynoor
MPK became the first local authority to establish a mounted unit under its former council president Datuk Mohd Sharif Yusuf who had told residents that the squad would be used for community policing and direct traffic in rush hour.
Sharif was quoted as saying that RM1.4 mil would be spent on building a sand paddock, grass paddock, 16 stables, four stores and other materials for the care of the horses at a 1.2 ha piece of land at Lingkungan Seri Sedeli in Taman Sri Andalas, Klang.
According to financial records, horse food, sawdust, blacksmith services, riding accessories, veterinarian expenses and stable needs came up to RM143,110 in 2004, while in 2005 the amount was RM139,659.
The amount rose to RM148,770 in 2006 and RM150,000 last year.
According to a source, the emoluments for the mounted squad’s 18 staff is an exorbitant RM481, 896 annually.
Councillor Datuk Teh Kim Poo said the mounted squad was a foolhardy venture and ordinary motorcycles would have been sufficient if the council had wanted to patrol the streets.
“Of the 10 thoroughbreds, two had died. One named Shaggy died of a heart attack while the other Paloh was put to sleep due to a back problem.
“From initial checks, the council has eight horses named Jack, Wega, Ray, Teja, Putra, Rico, Saddam and Aman,” he said.
Aman is 13 years old while Saddam, Rico, Teja, Ray and Jack are 11 years old. Putra is 10 and Wega, nine.
“Officers in the mounted squad want the squad to be maintained but the cost is exorbitant. We can’t have wastage in a venture that only brings in RM4,100 in annual revenue from offering rides to children but incur an annual expenditure of RM630,666,” he said.
Teh said simple economics would tell that it would be better to end such a venture.
Councillor Alex Thiagarasan agrees with his counterparts.
He said that even though the horses had won third and fifth placings in the Terengganu Royal Endurance 2006 and secured the dressage category in the National Horse Show 2005 at the Selangor Turf Club, the council could not afford such a huge bill to boost its image.
“We must do away with the horses and shore up the revenue to provide better services to the ratepayers. Our image can be given a boost if MPK improves the efficiency of its counter services. MPK must focus on providing better amenities and infrastructure to improve the township,” he said.
Council president Mislan Tugiu when asked about the financial state of the mounted horse squad said he felt that the squad should be disbanded and the horses sold to an equestrian club.
“Enough is enough, it was unwise, and all this was done before my tenure. This matter will be discussed at the council’s full board meeting on Thursday and the squad will be closed once the horses are sold,” he said.
Mislan has called upon residents to give their views on the mounted squad by e-mail to mislan@mpklang.gov.my.
End of the road for mounted unit
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