MBPJ Councillors' Swearing-In Halted At The Last Minute

PETPOSITIVE NEWSFLASH!

DATELINE MBPJ HEADQUARTERS: 

The planned swearing-in ceremony for local councillors in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, at 10.30am did not take place as scheduled this morning.

A last-minute message from the Selangor state executive office was issued out early this morning instructing a postponement of the event. No reason is known for the decision.

The council was told to wait for a fresh new list of councillors before going ahead with the swearing-in ceremony.

Apparently two other councils that was also scheduled to hold swearing-in ceremonies of their councillors were also halted.

It was a rather embarrassing moment for me when I turned up at the MBPJ (Petaling Jaya City Council) headquarters all dolled up. 

Apparently SMSes were sent out to all councillors an hour or so earlier announcing of the postponement. 

However, I did not get it (no thank to Maxis, which by the way, have been giving me very bad service recently in terms of reception).

I waited around for awhile and then decided to head back home.

I received many congratulatory messages from many of my friends and supporters for my work in MBPJ.

Among them were Datuk Seri Sharizat Abdul Jalil, Minister for Women, Family and Community Development and activist Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir. 

That's all for now. More news as and when.

aNt

PETBLOGSPOT 

STARMETRO TODAY: 

Thursday July 8, 2010

New councillors ready to take up the challenge

THE appointment of a candidate from Parti Keadilan Rakyat to fill the seat meant for NGO in the new Petaling Jaya councillors line-up has caused cries of unfairness.
Selangor and Petaling Jaya Utara Keadilan Youth chief Khairul Anuar Ahmad Zainuddin, picked for the seat, is among the four new faces.
The 33-year-old trade unionist said he had not received the appointment letter but if given the chance, he would endeavour to ease the financial burden of ratepayers without compromising the sustainable development that Petaling Jaya needed.

New face in PJ: Cheong wants to make PJ Old Town more vibrant.

He lives in Shah Alam but has been working in Petaling Jaya for years.
“I may look into ways to reduce taxes and charges imposed by the council since the council had a surplus last year. My hope is to reduce the financial burden of the rakyat,” he said.
The second new appointment, Kandiah Subramaniam was only willing to say that he was a member of Keadilan and refused to comment further as he had not received the appointment letter.
Meanwhile, newcomer Jeyaseelen T. Anthony, 39, said his involvement in the political arena began in school, spurred by his views against the arbitrary use of some laws and the suppression on freedom of speech.
“I feel that the only way to make the necessary changes is to be in politics because you have to work from within,” said the lawyer who specialises in insurance and industrial relations.
The DAP member said he hoped to bring about a safer, better and cleaner environment for the people of Petaling Jaya with the council closely monitoring development to ensure that the city grew sustainably.

Tony Cheong Siew Thong, who is the chairman of Bukit Gasing DAP, has been a resident of Petaling Jaya Old Town for 15 years.
“There have been no changes in my neighbourhood since day one. I hope I can do something to make this place more vibrant,” said the 36-year-old graphic designer.
In Shah Alam, businessman Mohd Ismahadi Ridwan, 47, said that he had not received any official appointment letter from the state but was earlier informed by his party (PAS) leadership that he was one of the candidates being considered for the post.

Raring to go: Noorhisham hopes to fulfil his obligations as a councillor.

He said he had not received any calls from the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) or the state and only came to know about the appointment when called by StarMetro.
“It is true that I have been chosen as a councillor in Shah Alam, then I am happy.
“I will give my best service to the people in the city and continue the efforts of the earlier councillors,” said the 47-year-old.
K. Yogasingamany, 51, who was appointed under the non-governmental organisation (NGO) quota, said he was surprised by the appointment.
He said he realised that councillors have a heavy responsibility but he was confident he could serve the city folk meaningfully.
“I aim to give constructive views to the council and am fully committed to serve the people well. I relish the challenge,” said the businessman.

There are 10 new faces in the list of councillors at Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ). Among them were several first-timers and unfamiliar names to many. However, they are all very optimistic and excited about serving the community in Ampang.
For Hamsah Djabir, 37, the position would offer him an opportunity to work with youths. He has been living in Ampang since 1996 and was in the advertising industry.

Ng: Surprised by his appointment

He said there were many social problems among youth and the position would help him guide them to the right path.
“In Ampang, some of the problems like irregularity of garbage collection and the traffic woes need to be looked into seriously,” he said.
Another newcomer, Ee Wai Leong, 45 hoped to give back to the Kampung Baru Ampang folk if given a chance.
He said there were many problems such as clogged drains and flood in the area that needed to be addressed.
“I have been part of the Village Development and Security Committee for many years and involved in community work.
“At the moment I am not sure which zone I will be given but I hope to serve the community well,” said the sub-contractor.
In Subang Jaya, Loka Ng Sai Kai expressed surprise about his appointment, but said he had been informed that his name was shortlisted as a potential MPSJ councillor.

“However, I have not received my letter of appointment yet,” said Ng, who was appointed under the NGO quota.
He is presently the Selangor Buddhist Development Committee chairman, advisor to the Young Malaysians Movement and former vice-president of Malaysian Youth Council.
If he were appointed, the Subang Jaya resident of 15 years said he would first familiarise himself with a councillor’s duties.

Hamsah: In Ampang, some of the problems like irregularity of garbage collection and the traffic woes need to be looked into seriously

“I hope to look into issues like the needs of the disabled (OKU) group and land for places of worship for non-Muslims, with reference to the Subang Jaya Draft Local Plan.
“As a parent and resident, I also hope to get a pedestrian bridge built for the pupils of SJK (C) Chee Wen in Subang Jaya,” said Ng.
Edward Ling Sieak Meeng said that he had been verbally informed about his appointment, but had yet to receive any confirmation in black and white.
“I look forward to serving the community in whichever area and MPSJ committee I am appointed to.
“I hope to sit in on the MPSJ’s IT Committee, as that is my background,” said Ling, who is Subang Jaya assemblyman Hannah Yeoh’s political secretary.
He said councillors appointed under the DAP quota would be placed in different committees to ensure check and balance, and there would be no conflict of interest from having one councillor sit on two committees, for instance Audit and Finance.

On the Residents Committee (JKP), Ling said he had heard that the councillors would play a more advisory role rather than that of the JKP chairman.
Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng’s lawyer Tan Pok Shyong was the only DAP representative among seven new names announced as councillors for Selayang effective yesterday.

Ling: Political secretary to Hannah Yeoh

The 34-year-old Tan found out about his appointment when journalists from the Chinese press informed him on Tuesday night.
“I know Selayang has many problems and it shall be my responsibility to see to it that these problems are solved.
“Having been practising law for nine years, I know that it will be an uphill task and I am ready to take the challenge,” he said.
Besides Tan, the six other new faces are Abdul Majid Hasan and Lee Sew Hong from Pakatan Rakyat, Husnal Azahari Sanusi and Zaidy Abu Talib for the PAS quota and Low Hock Kheng representing the NGO segment.
Meanwhile, Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) public relations officer Mohd Zin Masoad expressed the council’s unhappiness over not being sent the list after the public announcement.
“The list is supposed to be given to the council today as the councillors’ appointment is effective today.
“Until now (yesterday noon), we still have not received the list although others knew about the appointments even before us.

“The state should pass us the list and then inform the public. We are in the dark over the new appointments,” he said.
Seven names were dropped out from the suggested list of councillors.
In Sepang, two-term Hulu Selangor District councillor Santokh Singh was in for a surprise as he had been named as a councillor at the Sepang Municipal Council (MPSp).
“I take this as a promotion. However, the job of a councillor is the same wherever you are,” said the 46-year-old production engineer.
He said he would now have more time to spend on the ground as it would be a shorter distance travelling from Klang, where he lives, to Sepang than to Kuala Kubu Baru to attend the district council meetings.
He has also been appointed as DAP whip in Sepang but assured that the extra reponsibilities would not hinder his councillor duties.
He does not foresee a different set of problems in Sepang as it is geographically rural, similar to Kuala Kubu Baru.
Meanwhile, Sivakumar Periasamy was caught completely unaware by the appointment.
“I did not hear anything about it,” said the 32-year-old MAS customer service staff, stationed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

He said that as a local boy, he knew what was expected of him and the issues that needed to be resolved.
He said, however, it was important for councillors to get the support of the Federal Government.
“Our resources and powers are limited although there is so much that needs to be done. However, I will try to do my best with the duties entrusted to me,” he said.
Other new councillors were Hajarah Abu Samat, Maanor Yusoff, Mashadi Saein, Mohamad Azif Mohamad Aris, Rajalingam Ramayah and Teo Lian Sang.
There will be six new councillors for Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj).
Cheong Siow Foon (DAP), 34, said that although he lived in Bandar Sg Long, he was familiar with Balakong as he had aided the previous councillor Tan Han Kuo in that area.
“I will volunteer to serve the zone in Taman Taming Jaya, Balakong during the meeting with councillors as it is a problematic area.
“There are poor people living here and many factories in the industrial site. I have noticed that there are rubbish and security problems there. I did some research and have thought of some new ideas to solve the problems,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mohd Sany Hamzan (PAS) said he was honoured to be entrusted with the responsibility as a councillor.
“Being a full-time politician, I am used to meeting the people. I hope to help the council monitor issues like traffic, businesses and cleanliness in Kajang,” said the 33-year-old.

Thursday July 8, 2010

Selangor sets up independent panel to tackle issues

By TAN KARR WEI
karrwei@thestar.com.my

THE Selangor government has set up a 20-member Local Government Advisory Council comprising former councillors and members of NGOs and professional bodies.
Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said this after presenting awards for the Clean Zone competition and releasing the names of 288 councillors for the state’s 12 local councils at the Petaling Jaya Civic Centre yesterday.
He said the advisory council was an independent body and would not interfere with the running of the councils.

Instead, Khalid said the advisory council would focus on issues like local council elections, waste management contracts and looking into the welfare of the employees of the local councils.
“They would take on an advisory role for the state government on policies and strategies and make recommendations to the exco for local government headed by Ronnie Liu,” he said.
When asked if the advisory council was redundant since local council elections may never materialise, Khalid said even if it did not take off, they would explore the idea of partial elections involving the community.

“We need a committee to look into this. The councillors would not be able to look at issues on a macro level,” said Khalid.
Liu said the advisory council members would be paid allowances — slightly higher than that of the councillors — but the amount has not been fixed.
“They would hold meetings at least once every two months,” said Liu.
Of the 20 members, three — Sharifuddin Budin, Abdul Rahman Moharam and Michael Soon — have been confirmed.
Sharifuddin and Soon were former councillors of Hulu Selangor District Council and Petaling Jaya City Council, respectively, while Abdul Rahman was a former representative of Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) in Australia.
Soon said his appointment was bittersweet because while he was grateful of the MB’s confidence in his ability, he also felt that he had contributed a lot to the MBPJ and there was more to be done.
Sharifuddin said he was also involved with the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC).
On the appointment of the new batch of councillors, Liu said one-third of the 288 councillors were new with 46 women and 25% from NGOs and the disabled groups.
Instead of the usual one-year term, these councillors have been given a contract that ends on December 12, 2011.
“We want their tenure to finish at the end of the year. After that, we may introduce a two-year contract,” said Khalid.
The Hulu Selangor District Council saw the biggest change in the new line-up with 12 new faces while the Shah Alam City Council, Ampang Jaya Municipal Council and Sabak Bernam District Council had 10 new names each.
The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), one of the biggest local councils in Selangor, only had four changes.
DAP’s Ramakrishnan Suppiah had already resigned early this year after being appointed a Senator while those dropped were Pannerselvam Varathan, Michael Soon and Halil Harun.
There was also a surprise in the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) where three out of the six people dropped were from the NGO quota.

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