Section 25: Jempol Elevated to City Status
On January 29, 2019, the district of Jempol officially upgraded to a city, becoming the fourth district in Negeri Sembilan to receive city status after Port Dickson. The people hope that this elevation will bring new development and added value to Bahau. In particular, the real estate sector is expected to experience growth with the development of urban planning. The people also hope to make good use of the five-year freeze on taxation during this period and prepare for its transformation.
On January 29, 2019, the Jempol District Council held a grand ceremony to commemorate its elevation to city status. The Jempol District Council was granted city status due to meeting the requirements in terms of population and tax revenue. It is the fourth district in Negeri Sembilan to be elevated to city status, following the councils of Seremban, Nilai, and Port Dickson.
In conjunction with the elevation of the Jempol District Council to City Council, the state government has no intention to continue the previous administration's plan of having a “transformation center” for rural areas. However, the immigration department's plan will be implemented within this year.
Dato' Seri Aminuddin, the Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan, revealed that the Pakatan Harapan government will not continue the previous administration's initiative of rural transformation centers (RTC). Instead, an immigration department branch will be established at the Serting MARA Building next to the new Jempol Municipal Council, facilitating Jempol residents in handling passport-related matters.
On January 29, 2019, the Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan accompanied His Royal Highness Yamtuan Seri Diraja Tuanku Muhriz to attend the official ceremony of Jempol's elevation to city status, bringing good news to the people of Jempol.
The Menteri Besar mentioned that this plan is expected to be implemented this year, and the National Registration Department (JPN) located in Bahau town will also relocate to the MARA Building to continue its operations.
After the elevation of Jempol District Council to city status, the Negeri Sembilan state government, in its 2019 fiscal budget, has designated the establishment of a religious court in Jempol. Furthermore, various basic facilities will be improved, aiming to enhance the quality of life for the people. He emphasized that the state government is committed to ensuring equal development for both rural and urban areas, without neglecting any region or locality.
On the other hand, His Royal Highness Yamtuan Seri Diraja Tuanku Muhriz arrived at the venue at 9 p.m., where he was warmly welcomed by a group of state executive council members and local officials. Upon entering the venue, the state anthem was played, and in a simple yet grand ceremony, His Royal Highness officially announced the elevation of Jempol District to city status, elevating the atmosphere to its peak.
The elevation ceremony held in front of Jempol City Council attracted approximately 3,000 people from various ethnic groups in Jempol District to witness this historic moment. The organizing committee invited dancers from different ethnic groups to perform multiple traditional dances at the event.
Among the attendees were YB Teo Kok Seong, the Chairman of Negeri Sembilan Urban Harmony, Housing, Local Government, and New Village Action Committee; YB Puan Tan Lee Koon, the Chairperson of Negeri Sembilan Women's Affairs and Welfare Action Committee; Dato' Zuki Kamaruddin, the Speaker of Negeri Sembilan State Assembly; Raden Noh Salleh, the President of Jempol City Council; and Dato' Che Zakaria, the President of Seremban City Council.