Kota Kinabalu's first woman mayor ready to face challenges

 By Olivia Miwil - December 31, 2020 @ 4:00pm

Outgoing Kota Kinabalu Mayor Datuk Nordin Siman (left) presenting a mace as a symbol of handing over duties to incoming mayor Noorliza Awang Alip, during the ceremony at Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK). -NSTP/MOHD ADAM ARININ

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's first woman mayor has pledged to work as a team with Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) staff in order to meet the challenges of running the state capital.

Noorliza Awang Alip, 55, who will effectively take over from Datuk Nordin Siman as Kota Kinabalu mayor tomorrow, acknowledged that there is pressure with being appointed to the position.

"I was thinking whether I could do it as my predecessors did great jobs.

"But again, I have been doing this for so long. I've been part of DBKK since 1996 and I have received support from many," said the DBKK director-general who began her career as the council's assistant secretary.

She was speaking to the press after the mayorship handover ceremony. Nordin served as the KK mayor for two years.

Also present were state Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Yakub Khan, state secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong and Datuk Abidin Madingkir, who Assistant Minister to the Sabah Chief Minister.

Noorliza, who will become the state capital's sixth mayor, said DBKK is a dynamic organisation that works towards meeting the expectations of the city folk.

"It is a big challenge, given the city's 580,000 population and coverage an area of 360 square kilometres.

"The needs and aspirations are always changing. DBKK aspires to work in tandem with the expectations of the people," she said

Nordin, meanwhile, described his successor as an experienced, knowledgeable, disciplined and dedicated leader.

"I am confident that Noorliza Awang Alip is capable of doing even better as the mayor of Kota Kinabalu.

"I urge all DBKK officers and staff to lend her their support."